Violations of the press are fined up to 500 million VND, and the right to use the license is revoked for up to 12 months

The Government has just issued Decree 367/2026/ND-CP stipulating penalties for administrative violations in the field of journalism (effective from September 26, 2026).

According to this decree, the maximum fine for each administrative violation in the field of journalism is 500 million VND for organizations, 250 million VND for individuals.

The highest fine of up to 500 million VND is applied to the following acts that are not criminally prosecuted (stipulated in Clause 9, Article 14, Decree 367/2026/ND-CP):

- Posting and broadcasting information with content affecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (except in cases where national sovereignty is not correctly shown when posting and broadcasting images of the map of Vietnam that are not serious enough for criminal prosecution)

- Posting and broadcasting information with content that causes division between classes, strata of the People, between the People and the government, with the People's Armed Forces, with political organizations, socio-political organizations; distorting history; denying revolutionary achievements; insulting the nation, national heroes

In addition, violating individuals and organizations are also subject to additional penalties of revocation of the right to use the press operating license for 6 months to 10 months and remedial measures of public apology on mass media, forced removal of false information, information violating legal regulations that has been published and distributed, forced destruction of press products of print newspapers, print magazines, news bulletins, special issues.

The highest fine of up to 500 million VND is also applied to acts of providing programs on pay-per-view radio and television services with content that has particularly serious impacts on national interests, national territorial integrity and sovereignty without being prosecuted for criminal liability (Clause 7, Article 23, Decree 367/2026/ND-CP).

In addition to fines, violating individuals and organizations are also subject to additional penalties of revocation of the right to use the license to provide paid radio and television services from 6 months to 12 months and remedial measures forcing the removal of channels, programs with violating content, and forcing the return of illegal profits obtained from administrative violations.

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