The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) is leveraging key opinion leaders (KOLs) to spearhead campaigns that promote positivity, encouraging trends and narratives to counter harmful content on the Internet.

Building and protecting the online ecosystem

At the 2024 year-end conference, Le Quang Tu Do, Director of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI), emphasized the dual approach of "building and combating" in managing online spaces and social media.

“The Internet is a new living space for humanity, and safeguarding sovereignty in this space is akin to protecting the nation’s foundation,” he said.

The ABEI identified two critical pillars for managing cyberspace effectively:

Collaborative responsibility: Management cannot solely rely on government agencies; it requires the entire political system’s participation.

Cross-border platform regulation: Effective oversight of international platforms is imperative to maintain control over the digital environment.

A four-pronged strategy

The ABEI has adopted a four-pronged approach to manage and mitigate harmful content online:

Legal measures: Mandating compliance from platforms regarding content, advertising, taxation, and financial regulations.

Media campaigns: Publicly exposing violations to create pressure for platforms to adhere to Vietnamese laws.

Economic tools: Restricting advertising on non-compliant platforms.

Technical interventions: Blocking operations of platforms that fail to cooperate or comply.

This approach has yielded significant results in 2024, with over 93% compliance from platforms, record removals of harmful links, and closures of numerous non-compliant accounts.

Recognizing that government efforts alone are insufficient to maintain a healthy online ecosystem, the MIC has partnered with KOLs, multi-channel networks (MCNs), advertising agencies, and cross-border platforms.

Rather than treating these entities solely as regulatory subjects, the ministry views them as partners in promoting beneficial campaigns for the public good.

In 2024, the MIC integrated these influencers into specific communication campaigns, fostering positive trends under the motto: “Promote beauty to eliminate ugliness; use positivity to counter negativity.”

Examples of successful initiatives include:

Online fraud prevention campaigns involving popular artists and creators.

National pride movements, such as a wave of 36.6 million videos commemorating General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his state funeral, garnering nearly a billion views.

Patriotic campaigns, like the National Day (September 2) flag salute trend, initiated by influencers and embraced nationwide.
Honoring positive creators

The MIC has introduced recognition programs to celebrate content creators who produce clean, positive material. Such efforts reinforce the message that responsible creators are valued by both the state and the community.

Social media platforms have amplified traditional media’s reach. For example, a news article about a good Samaritan might receive a few thousand views, but after being shared on social media, it can garner 117,000 likes and 1,600 comments, amplifying its impact significantly.

To maintain a healthy online environment, the MIC has built a network where journalism serves as the primary source of accurate information. Social media acts as an amplifier, spreading verified and positive news widely.

“Our goal is to create a balanced ecosystem where accurate, positive narratives dominate,” Director Le Quang Tu Do said.

This multifaceted approach demonstrates the MIC’s commitment to fostering a responsible and constructive digital environment, blending regulatory oversight with community-driven efforts.

Trong Dat