Dr. Luu Vu Hai.

Digital prophecies

Ringtone producing “technology”

Doing business on bodies of others

Does the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications know about telecom companies offering content services to mobile phone users using un-copyrighted photos and music products? If the ministry knows, has the agency ever punished any of them?

Certainly, government agencies know about the situation through inspections and complaints of the public and the media. For that reason, the government issued Decree 90 dated August 13, 2008 on spam, including spam messages. On December 30, 2008 the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications issued circular 12 to guide the implementation of this decree.

The public has recently complained mostly about spam messages. We have asked the Ministry of Information and Communications to tighten management over mobile service providers and pre-paid mobile subscribers. I believe that after a period of time, violations associated with message businesses will be tackled.

Why is it that while newspapers and analog technology-based television broadcasting stations are under strict management of many government agencies, cable and digital TV channels can freely advertise soothsaying and “sensitive” content services without being punished?

Actually, all broadcasting and television activities are managed under the Press Law and there is no discrimination between them. All violations are treated equally.

The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications has asked all radio and television broadcasting stations to check and address advertisements of content services. The ministry will make a comprehensive check and strictly punish all violators.

Is there a lack of awareness of the danger of this form of business that we don’t have a close combination between the culture, information-telecommunication and industry and trade ministries to manage this business?

We have a serious stance on this issue, but actually, sometimes combination among government agencies is not smooth. Management of advertisement in the media is done by both the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications. In managing message content, there are problems related to control of pre-paid mobile subscribers. We have been and are continuing to do what we need to do.

Do you think that the government should revoke business licences of telecom firms which continuously violate the rules?

Inspectors of the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications will look at specific violations to take action. However, I don’t think that we should revoke business licences. Some say that the current sanctions are not heavy enough to prevent telecom firms from violating the law. However, to make penalties stiffer, we have to amend legal documents first.

VietNamNet/TT