Vietnam introduces national code of conduct on social media networks
Vietnam has introduced a national code of conduct on social media networks. While the guidelines encourage people to post positive content about the country, it prohibits posts which violate the law and “affect the interests of the state”. It also requires state employees to report “conflicting information” to their superiors.
The Vietnamese authorities are not known to accept criticism well, and the Reuters had reported earlier that the authorities there had threatened to shut down Facebook, if it didn’t censor more local political content from its platform.
Scope of the guidelines
The guidelines, passed on June 17, 2021, extend to three groups of subjects- state agencies, officials, civil servants, public employees using social networks; other organisations and individuals using social networks; and social network service providers in the country.
The Code of Conduct
The code of conduct focuses on safe use of social media, but also has some unusual provisions.
Organisation and individuals should learn and comply with the terms of use of the social media network provider before register and participating. users are “recommended” to use the full name, personal real name, real name of the organisation or agency and register with the service provider to authenticate the nickname, website address, contact point when joining and using the network.
Users shall also not post content that violates the law. Most importantly, users shall not post content that spread fake news, or cause irritation in public opinion, affecting social order and safety.
The code of conduct also encourage the use of social networks to “propagate and promote about the country- people, good culture of Vietnam, sharing positive information, good examples of good people and good deeds.
Code of Conduct for social network service providers
Social network service providers shall clearly state the terms of service, including all rights and obligations of service providers and users. They shall also promulgate and publicize measures to detect, notify and coordinate with functional agencies to handle, prevent and remove information that violates copyright and violates the law.
You may access the note from the Ministry of Information and Communication, Vietnam, here. (You may need a plug-in to translate the page)
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