Religious Issues in Digital Spaces through the Official Media of Buddhist and Catholic Institutions in Vietnam: Interpretive Framing and Policy Implications

Abstract

Abstract: This article analyzes how the official media of Buddhist and Catholic institutions in Vietnam identify and frame religious issues in digital spaces, while examining these issues against the current legal framework and recently adopted documents. Based on qualitative content analysis of 83 items published by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) from January 2020 to May 2026, combined with legal document analysis, the study identifies two distinct framing logics. In the sample, VBS items mainly follow an incident-response logic, emphasizing impersonation, fraudulent donation appeals, exploitation of religious trust, and responses to cases involving clerical conduct. CBCV items more often follow a norm-setting and guidance-oriented logic, emphasizing the discernment of misinformation, ethical online presence, and norms for digital communication. This difference is interpreted in relation to organizational structures and communication practices, rather than as evidence of the prevalence of problems in either religion. Legal analysis shows that these issues can be addressed under Vietnamese law on belief and religion, cybersecurity, administrative sanctions, criminal law, and personal data protection, but the relevant provisions remain indirect and dispersed. The article identifies three policy gaps: authenticating religious authority online, responding promptly to rapidly circulating content, and coordinating among state agencies, religious organizations, and digital platforms. It accordingly proposes authentication of official religious identities and channels, risk-based early-response mechanisms, and a multi-stakeholder coordination framework.

Keywords: Digital religion; online religious governance; institutional framing; Buddhism; Catholicism.