VietNamNet Bridge – Famous singer and model Ho Ngoc Ha and some other Vietnamese singers will be fined for participating in an online music video which advertised whiskey.

The clip includes the frequent appearance of close-up scenes of Johnny Walker bottles.

According to Nguyen Van Khanh, an official from the HCM City Department of Information and Communications, the “Thank you, dad” violates regulations in the Law on Advertisement as well as decrees on internet management.

He said that people who made the video violated Clause 15, Article 22 of Decree 94 issued in 2012 on prohibiting the sponsorship of cultural, artistic and sport programmes which include alcohol advertisement. However it could be debateable that a music video falls under such a definition. It also violates Article 7 of the Law on Advertising which bans the advertisement of alcohol above 15 percent and Decree 97 on prohibiting the online promotion of banned products or those which are not allowed to be circulated in the market, which seems unlikely to be able to be applied in a situation where whiskey is legally allowed to be traded and circulated.

A scence in the MV.

Based on this interpretation of the laws, the producers of the video could face a maximum fine of VND30 million (USD1,428), with music video removed from websites within Vietnam.

The clip was recently posted on the internet to mark Father’s Day, and includes the frequent appearance of close-up scenes of Johnny Walker bottles. The video ends with a health warning to “Enjoy drinking responsibly”.

Speaking with Dantri/DTiNews reporter, Vo Trong Nam, Deputy director of the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the alcohol advertisement violates the Law on Advertisment. Spirits are banned from being advertised in videos or art shows like the Long-legged Girls Festival which was also similarly fined.

Mr. Nam, however, added that currently the clip is available online so therefore, it is the management responsibility of the Department of Information and Communications. If Ho Ngoc Ha decides to release the track the local authorities will also take further measures.

According to Nguyen Hoang Ha from the HCM City Department of Information and Communications, the department will ‘explore the level of the violation’.

The movie also features the participation models Thanh Hang and singers Doan Trang, Ai Phuong, Tieu Chau Nhu Quynh, Dinh Huong. The artists provide bottles of whiskey to their fathers.

Ho Ngoc Ha also advertises a mobile phone in the clip.

The organisers and 13 models at a recent fashion show in HCM City have also been fined due to an illegal lingerie fashion show and alcohol advertising.

Source: DTriNews