The Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), and Information and Communications (MIC), after discussing measures to punish artists who violate of the laws and conduct behavior that is contrary to traditional habits and customs, have agreed that the words ‘phong sat’ and ‘cam song’ (understood as ‘blocked’, ‘boycotted’ or ‘prohibited’ in English), won’t be used in official situations and legal documents. 

Le Quang Tu Do, head of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI), said that MIC has never used ‘phong sat’ and ‘cam song’.

The ministries learned about experiences from South Korea and China on the issue and found that the two countries used the sanction measures, but they believe the words are not suited to Vietnam.

According to Do, if these words are used, this will be considered a legal provision. Under Vietnamese law, in order to prohibit the activities of a citizen, the prohibited content must be legalized.

Therefore, MCST and MIC have decided to use a ‘soft’ measure – mobilizing press agencies and event organizing units to support the State and join forces with the State to ‘clean’ the performance environment by not encouraging and not inviting artists with ethical violations and deviant lifestyles to perform and appear on mass media. 

The punishment will be implemented on a voluntary basis, and will not be compulsory as law. Therefore, the word ‘phong sat’ is unreasonable here.

Do went on to say that MCST has completed consultations with relevant agencies about the process of handling show business people who break the laws, and violate the code of conduct and social ethics. 

The issuance of the legal document about the process will be presided over by MCST, in cooperation with MIC.

“Managing artists is the function and task of MCST. However, as artists’ performing environment can be the internet and press, the cooperation of MIC will be a necessity,” Do explained.

In its report to the National Assembly Standing Committee responding complaints of voters, the government mentioned artist management.

Voters had earlier complained that many celebrities advertised drugs and functional food on social networks, but the product quality was not as good as advertised. 

The government said MCST and MIC were compiling rules on punishing celebrities that break the laws and the codes of conduct by restricting their performances, broadcasting, posting and using images on the mass media.

Van Anh