Punishing BTV Quang Minh and MC Van Hugo for advertising violations, forcing them to make corrections

The Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) has just announced the punishment of Editor Quang Minh and MC Van Hugo.

Accordingly, on April 28, 2025, the Department issued two administrative penalty decisions No. 148/QD-XPHC and No. 149/QD-XPHC against Mr. Tran Quang Minh (BTV Quang Minh) and Ms. Nguyen Thanh Van (MC Van Hugo), due to violations in advertising activities.

For two acts: Advertising nutritional products Hiup 27 inconsistent with one of the documents prescribed in the Certificate of registration of product declaration and advertising nutritional products Hiup 27 using the name of a doctor, BTV Quang Minh was fined according to Point a, Clause 2 and Point a, Clause Article 52 of Decree No. 38/2021/ND-CP regulating administrative sanctions in the field of culture and advertising, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 129/2021/ND-CP dated December 30, 2021 of the Government. The total fine that BTV Quang Minh must pay is 37.5 million VND.

Meanwhile, for a more serious violation: Advertising the nutritional product Hiup 27 causing confusion about the announced uses of the product, MC Van Hugo was fined according to Clause 5, Article 34 of Decree No. 38/2021/ND-CP regulating administrative sanctions in the field of culture and advertising, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 129/2021/ND-CP dated December 30, 2021 of the Government, the fine for this act is 70 million VND.

In addition, both BTV Quang Minh and MC Van Hugo must take remedial measures to remove the advertisement and correct information regarding the violation.

Previously, the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information sent Official Dispatch No. 907/PTTH&TTDT to cross-border social networking platforms and Official Dispatch No. 908/PTTH&TTDT to general electronic information sites and domestic social networks requesting review and removal of all advertisements related to the list of 84 milk products announced by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Health to be recalled and recommended not to be used.

In addition, the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information also requires social network service platforms to strengthen strict censorship of content on social networks under their management; coordinate to prevent illegal advertising content on the network, promptly remove illegal advertising when detected or when requested by competent authorities; notify users to be careful when posting and sharing advertising content, introducing products, goods and services on the network, especially advertising special products, goods and services according to the provisions of the law on advertising and report to competent authorities when detecting advertising content with signs of violation.