VTV fined for content disrespecting teachers on Teachers' Day

Vietnam Television (VTV) was fined VND30 million for broadcasting an animated film about a bad-mannered teacher on Teachers' Day, November 20.

The decision to fine the station was made by the Ministry of Information and Communications after strong public reaction to the cartoon “Nhat Xuong Cho Thay” or “Helping Teacher Gather Bones”.

 

A scene of the cartoon

The film tells a story of a teacher who is hired by a family to tutor their little boy. On the first day, the teacher is invited to a specially-prepared meal with the family. But, the teacher, being over-polite, refuses the most luxurious dishes like fish and chicken. This causes a misunderstanding with the family, who, during future meals, stop preparing sumptuous food.

Later, the teacher misses those dishes, and in order to be served them again, asks to take his meals separately with the boy. This surprises the student when the teacher takes all the good dishes with fish or chicken and leaves their bones for him, but this continues until the boy advances in his studies and it is time to say goodbye to his tutor. The student then gives his teacher an odd farewell, saying he hoped the teacher lived to be 100, but that he himself would live one year longer so he could help the teacher gather bones from meals.

The film was broadcast on the VTV3 and strongly criticised by the Ministry of Education and Training as well as many viewers, who found it indecent and disrespectful to teachers.

“I’m not sure whether the timing was a coincidence, but the film is inappropriate and dishonours the sacred relationship between teachers and students,” said Truong Minh Tuan, deputy minister of Information and Communication.

According to Tuan, many VTV programmes are made under contract with private production companies and this one was part of a series called “Qua Tang Cuoc Song” or “Gift for Life” by Sunrise Communications Company. However, VTV must be held accountable for their supervision, he noted.

Professor Van Nhu Chuong said the film saddened him and that he is waiting for an official comment from VTV.