Jan 11, 2012

Vietnam - Deputies eye crackdown on outdoor advertising



HA NOI — Outdoor advertising that has a negative impact on the environment, traffic and public safety or discriminates against any group will be banned under a new law discussed by National Assembly deputies yesterday.

Discussed in the National Assembly Standing Committee yesterday, the draft law forbids behaviour such as advertisements having a negative impact on urban beauty, traffic and social safety; showing national and racial discrimination; offences against religious beliefs, stigma and discrimination against the disabled; hanging advertising products on greenery in public areas.

Using medical and pharmaceutical organisations' and individuals' fame, position or prestige for advertising medicines and medical services would also be prohibited by the law.

Many deputies said the law should list conditions for advertisements of special goods, such as milk products, vaccines or biological products. The list of special goods would be updated by the Government.

Relating to outdoor advertising management, some deputies said it was necessary to regulate into details the responsibilities of local authorities and ministries or sectors in programming advertising schemes.

The draft law also proposes that provinces have to complete their advertising planning within 12 months after the law comes into effect. The construction sector would manage and license advertising requiring construction while advertising content would be inspected by the culture, sport and tourism sector.

The deputies agreed that advertising activities should be managed by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism instead of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

In other matters, administrative violations would result in a fine up to VND2 billion (US$95,000), lawmakers decided.

Some said the financial penalty should be high, as a warning, but also that it should match the socio-economic conditions of the country and average income per capita.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the highest penalty should not exceed two times the normal penalty for violations in fields of transport, environment or urban management in big cities and provinces.

Most deputies agreed the court sector should be given responsibility to make decisions for administrative violations with a focus on strengthening the ability of the courts at the district level.

On the same day, the Standing Committee discussed draft laws on education and dissemination of laws and judicial assessment.

VNS



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