VTV fined 50 million VND, forced to correct and apologize for 'vegetable broom' incident

The Ministry of Information and Communications has just issued an administrative penalty in press activities against Vietnam Television for broadcasting false information, causing very serious effects in the reportage "The Broom Sweeping Vegetables."

Photo cut from the clip "The vegetable broom" broadcast on VTV.

Decision No. 62/QD-XPVPHC signed by Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information Hoang Vinh Bao on May 13 clearly stated that, with the above violation, VTV was fined 50 million VND and forced to apologize according to Clause 8, Article 8 of Decree 159/2013/ND-CP dated November 12, 2013 of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations in press and publishing activities.

VTV must strictly comply with the Penalty Decision within ten (10) days from the date of receipt of the Penalty Decision.

Thus, just one day after the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information sent a dispatch requesting VTV to explain the production of this report, the management agency officially issued a "verdict" to the violating unit.

Previously, on May 3, the Morning Coffee program with VTV3 aired the report “The Broom for Sweeping Vegetables.” This report immediately caused a stir in public opinion and VTV officially apologized on its website on the night of May 11.

VTV said this was a serious violation of journalistic ethics and the station decided to suspend the work of trainee reporter Pham Thi Phuong - who made this report./.

According to Vietnamplus