HCM CITY — A 29-year-old Vietnamese singer has filed a lawsuit against several social media accounts for spreading false information and manipulating images to damage her reputation.

The singer, who recently returned to Việt Nam after studying in the US, alleges that edited images showing her with two boys led to rumors of her giving birth, causing financial losses due to canceled contracts with brand partners.

The Thủ Đức city police in HCM City are investigating the claims, with the singer’s lawyer stating that the circulation of manipulated images and false information online constitutes defamation under Vietnamese law.

Việt Nam has regulations in place to penalise the spread of fake news on social networks, with fines of up to VNĐ20 million for providing false information that harms the reputation of individuals or organisations.

As social media continues to be a popular source of news, there is a growing concern about the spread of fake news, negative information, and toxic content, experts said.

Mainstream media must adapt and provide reliable and official information on social media platforms in addition to traditional outlets, which will help regain the trust of readers and combat the negative effects of misinformation online, they noted.

Individuals affected by fake news are recommended to report the articles and social media accounts containing harmful information, and seek legal recourse when necessary. — VNS