Rules for classifying sports and entertainment radio and television content on demand in Vietnam

Rules for classifying sports and entertainment radio and television content on demand in Vietnam (Internet image)

Rules for classifying sports and entertainment radio and television content on demand in Vietnam

Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT on guidance on principles of editing, rating and warning about sports and entertainment video/audio-on-demand contents on radio and television services in Vietnam issued by the Minister of Information and Communications, effective as of August 15, 2023.

According to Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT, the rules for rating sports and entertainment video/audio-on-demand contents (hereinafter referred to as "media-on-demand contents") are as follows:

(1) If the media-on-demand contents are about extreme sports, combat sports or martial arts that are violent and dangerous, editing units shall apply rating label and clearly state program ratings according to the ratings specified in (4)

(2) Program rating shall adhere to the following principles:

- Program rating shall be based on the manner of expression; specific situations and contexts; interactivity; frequency; duration; level of detail of images, sound, lighting, and dialogue; and the level of impact on audiences, in which the importance of the context and the level of impact on audiences are priority factors in program rating;

- A program can be rated at a lower level when:

+ Its content is depicted verbally rather than visually (with regard to TV programs and audiovisual programs)

+ The images and words of the program have little impact;

- A program can be rated at a more stringent level when its content:

+ Contains more details, including close-ups and slow motion;

+ Uses highlighting techniques such as lighting, perspective, and resolution;

+ Uses special effects such as light, sound, noise, resolution, color, image size, characteristics, and tones;

+ Is realistic instead of stylized;

+ Encourages interaction;

- A program that is in the middle of the given ratings may be rated at a lower level if it has a way of handling the situation and the situation-handling result conveying an educational and humane message, praising moral and social values, and having positive impacts on audiences.

(3) Program rating criteria

- Theme and content;

- Violence;

- Nudity and sex;

- Drugs, stimulants and addictive substances;

- Horror;

- Vulgar language, images and sound;

- Dangerous and easily imitable behavior.

(4) Program ratings

Program ratings determined according to the rating criteria defined in (3) are arranged in ascending order as follows:

- P rated: Eligible for dissemination to viewers of all ages;

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

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

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

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

- C rated: Prohibited from dissemination.

(5) C rated: Prohibited from provision on services.

(6) List of program ratings is provided for in Appendix issued together with Circular 06/2023/TT-BTTTT.

Duong Chau Thanh

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