The Authority of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information has issued administrative fines against TV host Quang Minh and MC Van Hugo for violations related to misleading nutritional product advertisements, ordering them to correct the misleading information.

According to the announcement from the Authority under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, two decisions were issued on April 28, 2025: No. 148/QD-XPHC and No. 149/QD-XPHC, penalizing Mr. Tran Quang Minh (known as BTV Quang Minh) and Ms. Nguyen Thanh Van (known as MC Van Hugo).

Quang Minh was fined 37.5 million VND (approximately $1,470) for two violations: advertising the nutritional supplement Hiup 27 in a way inconsistent with the registered documentation and using a doctor’s name in the advertisement.

These acts breached Point a, Clause 2, and Point a, Article 52 of Decree No. 38/2021/ND-CP on penalties for violations in the fields of culture and advertising, as amended by Decree No. 129/2021/ND-CP.

Meanwhile, Van Hugo was fined 70 million VND (around $2,740) for a more serious violation: making misleading claims about the effectiveness of Hiup 27. This breached Clause 5, Article 34 of the same decree and its amendments.

In addition to the monetary fines, both individuals are required to take remedial action, including deleting the advertisements and issuing public corrections.

Previously, the Authority had issued Official Dispatch No. 907/PTTH&TTĐT to cross-border social media platforms and No. 908/PTTH&TTĐT to domestic websites and social networks, instructing them to review and remove all advertisements involving 84 dairy-related products that the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Health had ordered recalled and warned the public not to use.

The Authority also requested that social media service providers enhance content moderation, prevent the spread of violative advertising content, and remove such content promptly when detected or upon request from competent authorities.

Users were advised to be cautious when posting or sharing advertising content, especially those involving regulated goods and services. Users were also encouraged to report any suspicious or illegal advertisements to the appropriate regulatory agencies.

Quynh An