06 levels of rating sports and entertainment video/audio-on-demand contents in Vietnam

06 levels of rating sports and entertainment video/audio-on-demand contents in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

The Minister of Information and Communications promulgates Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT dated June 30, 2023 guiding the principles of editing, classifying and warning sports and entertainment radio and television content according to requests on radio and television services.

1. The criteria for rating sports and entertainment video/audio-on-demand contents in Vietnam

According to Clause 3, Article 3 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT, the criteria for rating sports and entertainment video/audio-on-demand contents (hereinafter referred to as "media-on-demand contents") in Vietnam include:

- Theme and content;

- Violence;

- Nudity and sex;

- Drugs, stimulants and addictive substances;

- Horror;

- Vulgar language, images and sound;

- Dangerous and easily imitable behavior.

2. 06 levels of rating sports and entertainment video/audio-on-demand contents in Vietnam

Program ratings determined according to the rating criteria defined in Section 1 are arranged in ascending order as follows:

(1) P rated: Eligible for dissemination to viewers of all ages;

(2) K rated: Eligible for dissemination to audiences under 13 years old, provided that they are with their parents or guardians;

(3) T13 rated (13+): Eligible for dissemination to audiences from 13 years old or older;

(4) T16 rated (16+): Eligible for dissemination to audiences from 16 years old or older;

(5) T18 rated (18+): Eligible for dissemination to audiences from 18 years old or older;

(6) C rated: Prohibited from dissemination.

(Clause 4, Article 3 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT)

3. Principles of editing sports and entertainment video/audio-on-demand contents in Vietnam

Specifically, according to Article 2 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT stipulating the principles of editing sports and entertainment radio and television content upon request as follows:

- General principles

+ Follow guidelines of the Communist Party and law policies of the State;

+ Remove all contents violating the press law and other laws; controversial issues and issues that have not yet been recognized by Vietnamese law from a program;

+ Protect children and other vulnerable audiences from inappropriate or potentially harmful contents;

+ Remove from a program the contents or dialogues which are meant to disparage the origin or background of the interlocutor or the character in question; contents which are intended for mocking an individual's physical flaws; words or symbols that are disparaging, contrary to Vietnamese culture, morality and fine customs; use, in a limited manner, slang or vulgar language that is not suitable to circumstances, contexts or contents mentioned in the program;

+ Remove a program in case when the program is edited, it is discovered that in the program, at an event venue, at a sports and entertainment venue, there are images and activities that violate the law, are contrary to Vietnamese fine customs and traditions or contain sensitive political factors.

- Regarding recorded broadcasts

Edit the broadcasts (including text, files, images and sound) according to regulations in Clause 1 of  Article 2 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT.

- Regarding live broadcasts

+ Regarding live broadcasts edited by producing entities: carry out edit according to regulations in Clause 1 of  Article 2 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT; carry out edit from the script writing to the production before the live broadcasts take place, and directly monitor and edit the contents throughout the broadcasts.

+ Regarding broadcasts for which the copyright is purchased domestically or from other countries: carry out edit according to regulations in Clause 1 of  Article 2 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT; review the contents according to broadcast programming, scripts or program contents provided by the partners before the live broadcasts take place, and directly monitor and edit the contents throughout the broadcasts.

- Regarding sports and entertainment programs containing contents related to health, education, and online video games: carry out edit according to regulations in Clause 1 of  Article 2 of Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT and relevant laws.

Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT takes effect as of August 15, 2023.

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