In recent times, a growing number of short films with inappropriate and harmful content have surfaced on social media platforms.

These videos, often produced by individuals or companies, exploit controversial themes like infidelity, domestic disputes, social vices, and intimate relationships to attract views and advertising revenue.

The production teams behind these videos frequently use nonsensical scripts and cast amateur actors. The films are then heavily edited and posted with sensationalized titles to draw attention.

To increase engagement, the storylines are often exaggerated to the point of being unrealistic and devoid of cultural or educational value. Channels like "SV Phim Ngắn" and "SVM" have been identified among those producing such content.

Despite receiving thousands of interactions and angry comments from viewers, these production companies continue to release dozens of videos each week. Their content brings in regular revenue through ads and sponsorship deals with various brands.

On platforms like Facebook, which lacks age-specific content control, these videos are particularly accessible to children. This has raised concerns about the harmful effects such content can have on younger viewers.

Following media reports, the Department of Culture and Sports (DCS) of Ho Chi Minh City recently responded to the situation.

According to the DCS, based on Article 8 of Decree 144 on "Forms of Organizing Artistic Performances," organizations and individuals who post videos online are responsible for the content and must specify age restrictions for viewers.

Recently, the DCS has been collaborating with relevant agencies to address specific cases raised by the media and the public. They are also actively promoting legal regulations and ethical guidelines for individuals and organizations involved in the production of artistic performances.

However, the DCS noted that effectively tackling these issues requires a coordinated effort across multiple ministries and agencies, from the central to local levels, alongside strengthened legal frameworks for more efficient management.

The department has also signed cooperative agreements with other city departments to ensure tighter oversight in areas under their jurisdiction. Additionally, the DCS is continuing to propose solutions to other pressing societal issues.

Establishing a task force to manage film distribution online

In April 2023, in response to the growing concern over inappropriate short films on social media, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Ta Quang Dong, signed a decision to establish a task force to manage the distribution of films online.

The task force, composed of 10 members and led by the Director of the Department of Cinema, Vi Kien Thanh, is responsible for issuing and revoking film classification licenses for businesses and organizations that do not meet the necessary conditions.

The task force also manages the online film distribution process, ensuring the proper handling of applications and issuing written responses to requests for film classification. Additionally, the task force publicly lists the names of businesses and organizations that meet the requirements for film classification on the internet.

The task force is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the surge of inappropriate content online and ensuring that films distributed on the internet meet appropriate classification standards.

Tuan Chieu