VTV fined 50 million VND for broadcasting Asia's Got Talent

On April 6, the Ministry of Information and Communications sent an official dispatch to administratively fine Vietnam Television (VTV) for broadcasting the program Asia's Got Talent on March 22 and 23. The fine given to VTV is 50 million VND.

While Asia's Got Talent was fined, another VTV program associated with BHD, Vietnam Idol, was granted a broadcasting license.

Asia's Got Talent is a reality TV show featuring thousands of talents from 15 countries across Asia. BHD bought the copyright to produce a Vietnamese version and broadcast it in Vietnam. This game show is among the programs that are not considered for a certificate of registration for association, according to the official dispatch sent to VTV by the Ministry of Information and Communications on March 18.

Asia's Got Talent has been on air for the past two weeks.

The Ministry's decision comes from the purpose of rectifying and strengthening the control of the content of joint programs. The management agency found that a number of joint programs between VTV and media partners have continuously had many errors in content: from providing false information, using offensive language and images that are not in accordance with Vietnamese customs and traditions to other advertising violations.

Specifically, the programs Dep Viet, Vietnam Idol, Sang Tao Viet, Cai Ly - Cai Tinh will not be broadcast on television. For programs whose registration certificates are still valid, the Ministry will also revoke the certificates if VTV commits any violations.

In addition, another document from the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information sent at the same time also clearly announced that the programs Late Night Talk, Asia's Got Talent, and Vietnam's Spirit will not be processed for registration licenses. These are programs that VTV cooperates with media companies Dolphin, BHD and AHC Vietnam.

Image from Vietnam Idol 2015 broadcast on April 5.

On April 2, VTV sent a dispatch to the management agency requesting permission to broadcast and license a number of joint programs. They affirmed that they had accepted the opinions and instructions from the Ministry, and committed to correcting their operations and organization. Units and individuals who violated the recent joint programs have also been disciplined by VTV. The television station has also sent a petition to the Prime Minister regarding the incident.

Therefore, the Ministry of Information and Communications has agreed to let VTV continue broadcasting Vietnam Idol on television, but Asia's Got Talent has not yet been approved.

According to VNE