Who is responsible when AI writes a fake news story? Vietnam sets new boundaries
Can Tho, donderdag, 4 december 2025.
In Can Tho, a remarkable proposal has been put forward: journalists and media organisations will be legally accountable for using artificial intelligence in news production. This comes at a time when AI is increasingly used to generate content or analyse data. The most intriguing aspect? The proposal aims to prevent AI from being misused to spread false, harmful, or defamatory content—and even to endanger national security. It is a rare example of a government not only monitoring technology but also imposing concrete responsibilities on the people who work with it. What does this mean for the future of journalism—and how is a city in Vietnam ensuring that humans remain in charge of determining what is true?
New legislation, old concern: AI and the boundary of responsibility
On Thursday, 4 December 2025, a remarkable proposal appeared on the agenda of the National Assembly of Can Tho city in Vietnam: a legal obligation for press agencies, journalists, and related actors when using artificial intelligence (AI) in journalistic activities [1]. Deputy Ai Vang, representing Can Tho, proposed that the press-related bill be supplemented with binding responsibilities for AI users [1]. These steps come at a time when AI is increasingly being used to generate news stories, analyse large data streams, and automate editorial processes [1]. At the heart of the proposal is an effort to strengthen human accountability rather than the technology itself, establishing a safety framework against misuse and damage to public trust [1]. The proposals aim to ensure both the accessibility of information and the preservation of journalistic value in a rapidly evolving digital environment [1].
From automation to ethics: the role of AI in news production in Vietnam
In Vietnam, the integration of AI into journalism is no longer a futuristic vision but an immediate reality. During the Conference of the Organisation of Asian-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) on 3 December 2025, VietnamPlus news agency presented a paper titled ‘AI and Journalism: When Machines Help Humans Amplify Their Storytelling Power’ [2]. Journalist Vo Hoang Long, deputy head of the editorial department at VietnamPlus, highlighted the spirit of innovation and creativity that has driven the rapid integration and application of practical AI tools within editorial work [2]. This demonstrates that in some media organisations, AI is not seen as a replacement for journalists, but as a powerful tool that can enhance the efficiency and depth of stories [2]. Yet ethics remain central: Can Tho’s proposal seeks to establish a legal framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and professional standards in AI use [1].
The technology behind the scenes: AI in monitoring environmental protection
A concrete application of AI in Vietnam is the approach to tackling air pollution in Hanoi. The city has taken urgent measures to reduce air pollution, particularly through the advanced use of technologies such as satellite tracking, drones, and AI-integrated traffic cameras [3][4]. These systems are used to monitor, detect, and rigorously enforce actions against illegal burning of waste, straw, and agricultural residue [3][4]. The use of AI in this context means that large volumes of data from cameras and sensors are analysed in real time to detect patterns and identify violations [3][4]. This technology contributes to faster and more accurate responses to environmental incidents, which is essential in a rapidly growing city like Hanoi [3][4].
The risks of misuse: what if AI spreads false information?
During the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly on 2 December 2025, Deputy Ai Vang warned of the risk that AI could be misused to create ‘false, distorted, defamatory, or fraudulent content’ or threaten national security [1]. This risk is not hypothetical: in today’s digital environment, AI generators can rapidly and at scale produce fake news stories, manipulated videos, and deceptive audio recordings that are difficult to distinguish from genuine information [1]. Therefore, Can Tho’s proposal is focused on establishing control mechanisms for AI-generated content to ensure professionalism, ethics, and safety in press activities [1]. It is an effort to maintain the human dimension of responsibility, even as technology accelerates production [1].
Municipal radio and the digital divide: a gap AI cannot close
While AI is being used at a high level, certain local media outlets in Vietnam still lag behind. At the municipal level, radio broadcasts are currently conducted by part-time staff with insufficient expertise, outdated equipment, limited funding for maintenance, and no transition to modern information technology [1]. These limitations result in a one-way flow of information, with programmes mainly re-syndicated from higher levels without much locally produced content [1]. Salaries and remuneration for radio staff are low, affecting motivation and professionalism [1]. The Ministry of Science and Technology identifies remaining signal drops as one of the nine issues affecting communication activities in municipalities, particularly in remote, border, and island regions [1]. This technological lag threatens to undermine the goals of Can Tho’s AI proposal, as it does not address the fundamental infrastructure challenges [1].
The international perspective: cooperation, safety, and ethics in media
The discussion on AI in journalism is not limited to Vietnam. During the OANA conference on 3 December 2025 in Hainan, China, the theme ‘Media in the Modern World: Technology and the Safety of Journalists’ was addressed [2]. Delegates from 12 news agencies, including VietnamPlus, shared experiences on the rapid integration of AI into editorial workflows [2]. A joint statement was adopted regarding the safety of journalists working in conflict and disaster zones, where AI technology is also used for risk detection and the dissemination of warnings [2]. The conference approved the expansion of the Executive Committee with the addition of MONTSAME (Mongolia) as the 13th member, indicating growing international collaboration in media ethics and technology [2].