Brian Jeffrey
Recently, there has been an uptick in the number of short films featuring harmful and inappropriate content on social media platforms.
These films, created by various individuals or companies, tend to exploit controversial topics such as cheating, domestic conflict, social issues, and intimate relationships to generate views and increase advertising revenue.
The creators of these videos often rely on absurd scripts and use amateur actors, enhancing the films through heavy editing and sensational titles designed to capture audience attention.
To boost viewer engagement, the narratives are often exaggerated beyond believability and lack both cultural and educational significance. Channels like “SV Phim Ngắn” and “SVM” are among those producing this kind of content.
Even with thousands of interactions and negative feedback from viewers, these companies continue to release numerous videos weekly, capitalizing on steady advertising revenues and sponsorship deals.
On platforms such as Facebook, which do not have age-appropriate content controls, these videos are easily accessible to young audiences, raising alarms about potential negative impacts on children.
Following reports from the media, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports (DCS) has taken notice of the situation.
The DCS indicated that, in accordance with Article 8 of Decree 144 regarding “Forms of Organizing Artistic Performances,” those who upload videos online are accountable for their content and need to set appropriate age ratings for viewers.
Recently, the DCS has been working with relevant agencies to respond to specific concerns raised by the media and the public. They are promoting legal guidelines and ethical standards for those involved in creating artistic performances.
However, the DCS acknowledged that a comprehensive approach involving various ministries and agencies at both central and local levels is necessary, alongside improved legal frameworks for better regulation.
The department has also formed partnerships with other city departments to enhance oversight within their jurisdiction and continues to seek solutions to broader societal challenges.
In April 2023, in light of the rising concerns over inappropriate short films on social media, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Ta Quang Dong, initiated the formation of a task force to oversee online film distribution.
This task force consists of 10 members and is headed by the Director of the Department of Cinema, Vi Kien Thanh. Its responsibilities include issuing and revoking film classification licenses for businesses that do not comply with necessary regulations.
Furthermore, the task force oversees the online film distribution process, ensuring that applications are suitably managed and providing written responses for classification requests. It also publicly lists the businesses and organizations that meet classification requirements online.
The task force is anticipated to be pivotal in addressing the rise of inappropriate content online and ensuring that films distributed on the internet adhere to proper classification standards.
