Years ago, during a conversation with a senior official in media regulation, I raised a question: Instead of just imposing administrative fines, why don’t we encourage individuals and organizations targeted by defamation to file civil lawsuits? A large compensation verdict against the spreaders of false information would serve as a more civilized and effective deterrent. At the time, the suggestion was not widely supported.

For years, in the face of rampant misinformation on social media, we have become used to seeing authorities issue token fines worth only a few million dong, while offenders simply delete posts and post half-hearted apologies before everything is forgotten. This leniency has allowed fake news to thrive.

As someone who has personally been defamed online, I understand the helplessness and pressure one feels when unable to seek justice.

That’s why I support Vingroup’s bold approach: initiating civil litigation, reporting to law enforcement, and notifying embassies of countries where the accused reside.

This is more than a company protecting its reputation. It reflects a civilized effort to uphold the rule of law in a digital age.

From baseless rumors to legal proceedings

According to Vingroup’s announcement, 68 individuals and organizations behind TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube accounts are being sued for publishing and spreading false information. These ranged from fabricated financial reports and false product claims to outright lies about company leadership.

One of the most shocking fake claims alleged that Vingroup was on the verge of “bankruptcy” due to debts of 800 trillion VND (approximately $32.8 billion). In reality, the company’s consolidated financial statement showed total liabilities of only 283 trillion VND (about $11.6 billion), with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.8 - well within healthy limits by international standards. Compared to other major global real estate and industrial corporations, this remains a sustainable level.

The misinformation didn’t stop at numbers. Some accounts accused VinFast vehicles of being “Chinese products disguised as Vietnamese,” which is absurd considering the company’s vertically integrated supply chain and 60% localization rate - expected to rise to 80% in the near future.

Even more disturbingly, some accounts fabricated claims about Vingroup’s leaders, including Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, and spread lies about mass employee resignations. This is no longer a matter of opinion but deliberate distortion meant to damage reputations.

Vietnam’s Cybersecurity Law (2018), Penal Code (2015), and civil statutes clearly state that spreading false information and infringing upon the honor and rights of individuals and organizations is illegal. Around the world, violators face harsh consequences - from imprisonment and multimillion-dollar fines to permanent bans on social media.

So why are most cases in Vietnam still dealt with via minor administrative fines? If businesses stay silent, and if society treats fake news as harmless digital entertainment, the result will be eroded public trust, a tainted investment climate, and, more seriously, a disregard for the law.

Vingroup’s legal move represents a different path - one that refuses to tolerate fabricated narratives, instead seeking truth through the court system and legal rulings.

The fight against fake news requires collective effort

Vingroup’s legal action also aligns with broader state efforts to combat fake news. In 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communications adopted a firm yet flexible approach in dealing with cross-border platforms. Around 20 meetings and negotiations with Facebook, Google, TikTok, Netflix, Apple, and others forced these tech giants to comply with Vietnamese law.

As a result, in just one year: Facebook removed nearly 9,000 violating posts (94% compliance), Google/YouTube removed over 6,000 (91%), and TikTok nearly 1,000 (93%). Beyond the national level, the ministry has also guided local governments to establish fake news monitoring centers - 20 provinces and cities have already set theirs up.

These numbers prove that Vietnam’s digital landscape is gradually being cleaned up. And when a major firm like Vingroup decides to sue, the message becomes even clearer: fake news is no longer a gray area - it is a legal offense subject to prosecution both domestically and internationally.

For the greater good - not just corporate interest

Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, put it succinctly: “We are filing lawsuits and reporting to authorities not just to protect Vingroup’s interests, but to fight for truth and a better life for all.”

Indeed, this is not merely about a corporation’s gains or losses. When a large business is defamed, it can impact tens of thousands of workers, shake investor confidence both locally and abroad, and tarnish Vietnam’s business image. Defending the truth and demanding fairness is ultimately about safeguarding public interest.

Vingroup is not stopping at Vietnam’s borders. The company is working with international legal counsel to file lawsuits in countries where the accused individuals reside. They have also informed embassies. This approach is methodical, transparent, and reflects the strength of a Vietnamese business operating on the global stage.

In the digital age, freedom of speech is a right - but it does not include the right to fabricate. In the US, defamation cases against companies have resulted in damages reaching tens of millions of dollars. In Europe, stringent fake news regulations hold platforms accountable. Vingroup’s legal approach is not only about self-defense - it aligns with international legal norms and civilized standards.

The organized and repeated appearance of defamatory content points to a coordinated effort to undermine strong domestic businesses that form the backbone of Vietnam’s economy.

For too long, small businesses have stayed silent out of fear, while even large corporations have hesitated to act for fear of public backlash. As a result, legitimate businesses have become the silent victims of social media attacks.

The lawsuit against 68 accounts will be a litmus test for Vietnam’s legal system and a societal reminder: fake news is no longer a joke, and no one should be allowed to slander others online without consequences.

In a nation moving toward the rule of law, fairness, and transparency, Vingroup’s actions are more than just a corporate fight - they are a promising sign of progress in Vietnam’s business environment and civil society. The question remains: do we - as journalists, netizens, businesspeople, and regulators - have the courage to support this civilized path?

Tu Giang