Two ministries join forces to combat cyberbullying on social media

The Ministry of Information and Communication will join forces with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to prevent cyberbullying and protect people and organizations from hate speech by the online community.

That's the statement made by two ministers during the question and answer session on November 7-8 in Hanoi at the ongoing Sixth Plenary Session of the 15th National Assembly.

A scene in the film Land and Forest of the South. Photo: Galaxy

With the movie Dat Rung Phuong Nam (Land and Forest of the South) being denigrated and criticized on social networks, National Assembly deputies have raised the issue of hate speech on social media.

Calling it a form of violence, Deputy To Thi Bich Chau of Ho Chi Minh City asked the ministers of Information and Communications, Public Security and Culture, Sports and Tourism for solutions to protect people and organizations from hate speech expressed by the online community.

In response to the issue, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung stated that the revised Decree 72 has been issued to regulate behavior on social networks, with penalties for violating personal privacy and defamation.

He affirmed that the regulation against acts of violation of personal privacy on social networks is becoming stricter. However, the most fundamental solution is to build digital manners.

"Cyberspace is a new environment for many people, no matter how good it is, it also implies many evils. Therefore, it is important to promote cyberspace etiquette," Hung said.

The minister suggested that digital etiquette be included in the school curriculum to raise people's awareness of online behavioral culture.

The Ministry of Information and Communications advocates opening basic digital literacy training courses for people to protect themselves and increase resistance to harmful information in cyberspace.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung answers deputies.

The law is strict and has dealt with many cases as a deterrent, but cross-sector coordination is needed to make government management more effective.

"Contrary to what many people think, this responsibility does not rest solely with the Ministry of Information and Communications," he said.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said his ministry has closely coordinated with the Ministry of Information and Communications to remove and prevent harmful information that negatively affects Vietnam's culture and customs. The ministry has also issued a code of conduct for people working in art.

Regarding the issue raised by Deputy To Thi Bich Chau about the film Land and Forest of the South being trampled on social networks, Minister Nguyen Van Hung said the film's content was censored and licensed according to the law.

"People have the right to believe that the film fabricated facts, but insulting and slanderous comments will not be tolerated," Minister Nguyen Van Hung said.

Deputy Trinh Xuan An, from the southern province of Dong Nai, reminded the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism that besides insults and denigrating remarks, there are also comments urging authenticity, truth and historical values, and preventing the fabrication of historical facts, which need protection and consideration by the Ministry.

He pointed out that although the film was approved for release on September 29, some details in the film were changed after public complaints on October 15.

Deputy An said: "We cannot underestimate traditional and historical education. The movie can be good from a cinematic or artistic point of view, it can be inspired by any source, but it should not distort historical facts and national culture."

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said the National Council for Film Appraisal, after reviewing the film, concluded that it did not violate the Law on Cinema, so it was approved for nationwide distribution.

The Ministry of Culture respects the Council's decision. If it is found that there are irregularities or illegal acts in the censorship of the film, action will be taken, he said.