Skip to content
crime-and-justice — Economy — general-news — Crime — Entertainment — Finance — Social-media — Politics — Business

YouTube Personality with Over Two Million Subscribers Arrested for Spreading False Information in Vietnam

Dangerous actions jeopardize public peace, becoming increasingly problematic as the nation nears Party Congresses. During this time, defamatory depictions of political figures hold significant risk, potentially resulting in arrests due to the heightened sensitivity and serious repercussions.

,   and  ASMedia
3 min read
Political actions deemed harmful to public tranquility escalate, gaining momentum as the nation...
Political actions deemed harmful to public tranquility escalate, gaining momentum as the nation nears Party Congresses. In these political gatherings, defaming political figures is highly sensitized, and such actions could result in detentions due to the potential for inciting conflict.

YouTube Personality with Over Two Million Subscribers Arrested for Spreading False Information in Vietnam

_News

Woe be to the disparagers! YouTubers in hot water for spreading misinformation

The YouTuber behind the popular channel "Nguoi Dua Tin" (The Herald/Messenger), boasting 2 million followers, and two associates found themselves in police handcuffs over dubious videos about political leaders.

Last Wednesday, Le Van Can, 59, alongside Nguyen Duc Minh, 24, and Nguyen Hoang Tan, 27, were apprehended by HCM City cops for suspected violation of democratic freedoms, as commanded by Article 331 of the Penal Code.

Charges against them? Over 6,700 videos that spun political events, amassing an illicit fortune of over VND10 billion (US$385,000).

The "Nguoi Dua Tin" channel's journey began in March 2024, and in a blink of an eye, it tallied nearly 2 million followers and a whopping 1 billion views.

But it appears the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department had been secretly watching the channel, and they found Can and his team's content to be a hotbed of improper political narratives and agitators of social unrest.

Can, the main culprit, was joined by his two associates who helped edit and design.

So what's the big deal? Well, Vietnam's upcoming Party Congresses are just around the corner, and throwing shade at the country's leaders is particularly sensitive. Missteps can warrant some very severe repercussions, including a trip to the clink.

The police investigation continues, with plans to tighten the screws on similar transgressions. The recent arrests have sparked discussions about freedom of speech and the responsibilities of content creators to portray public figures honestly.

Despite some advancements in free speech, Vietnam remains touchy about political matters, maintaining a strong grip on information control.

Viet Nam News

Asia News Network

  • Related
  • Thailand urges Cambodian troops to withdraw, seeks peace, says Phumtham
  • Somchai Sujjapongse appointed as new chairman of BOT Board
  • Border tensions escalate: Cambodia ยresses, Thailand stands guard
  • IMF warns global trade war shock 'harsher than Covid' for emerging markets - Thailand urged to prepare for structural impact
  • NSC establishes committee to address Thai-Cambodian border crisis

Enrichment Data:Savvy dissemination of false or misleading information about political leaders in Vietnam could land you in the slammer—particularly before Party Congresses. Recently, a YouTuber named Lê Văn Cần, along with Nguyễn Đức Minh, was bagged by Ho Chi Minh City police for spreading misinformation about political leaders. This is an indication of Vietnam's uncompromising stance on political stability and information control.

In Vietnam, the rules and regulations on information dissemination are strict. The legal system contains provisions leading to criminal charges for those who spread false news, particularly with regards to political figures. Such actions are often viewed as endangering national security or undermining public trust in the government.

  • Key Legal Consequences:
  • Imprisonment: Individuals can be locked up for preliminary investigations, as demonstrated by recent cases involving YouTubers.
  • Trial and Sentencing: Once enough evidence is assembled, individuals may face trial and sentencing, potentially leading to fines or jail time.
  • Social and Political Penalties: Besides legal sanctions, false reporting can result in social alienation and tarnished reputation, especially in a country with strong political control.

These legal measures are part of Vietnam's strategy to maintain political stability and regulate the flow of information about political leaders. The gravity of these consequences may vary depending on the circumstances and specific laws applied in each case.

  1. The penal code in Vietnam commands strict vigilance against disparagers, as evidenced in the arrest of Lê Văn Cần and Nguyễn Đức Minh for spreading misinformation about political leaders.
  2. Businesses and content creators must exercise caution when disseminating political news, for the economy and finance sector could face repercussions if falsely portraying political figures, as demonstrated by the recent arrests.
  3. Social media platforms must abide by the law, as Vietnam implements stringent regulations on information control to maintain political stability, as seen in the case of the popular channel "Nguoi Dua Tin."
  4. As the upcoming Party Congresses approach, the general news media must be mindful of their coverage of political leaders, as missteps can warrant severe penalties, including imprisonment.
  5. Despite progress in free speech, Vietnam continues to maintain a firm grip on political matters, using crime-and-justice systems to punish those who endanger national security or undermine public trust in the government.

Read also:

Related

Latest