At the beginning of 2026, the CEO of HTV Network, Ngo Anh Tan, proudly displayed a sign written in Vietnamese that read “Doanh Thu Đột Phá,” translating to “Record Revenue,” during a lively corporate event featuring dancing mascots and pyrotechnics.
HTV Network, originally established as an “international media company” dedicated to connecting the world with credible journalism, had grown to over 100 employees, as indicated in a Vietnamese job listing.
However, an investigation by CBC’s visual investigations unit and Radio-Canada’s Décrypteurs uncovered that despite HTV’s public image, the company actually operates an AI-generated content network from Hanoi, Vietnam, spreading fake news and sensationalized stories globally.
The investigation revealed nearly 200 Facebook pages with a collective following of over 55 million, linking to around 50 HTV-affiliated websites that profit from running ads alongside misleading political and religious content.
Fenwick McKelvey, a communications professor at Concordia University, described the operation as “totally deceptive,” emphasizing the widespread impact of the misinformation being disseminated.
The model involved mass-producing AI-generated content, such as false reports like the “U.S. losing its main city” to a fabricated attack by Russian President Vladimir Putin, to drive traffic to HTV’s websites where ads for products like fungus medication and financial services were prominently displayed.
Despite denying association with HTV sites and Facebook pages, CEO Ngo’s personal information matched corporate records and domain registrations, raising questions about his involvement in the network.
Following inquiries from CBC/Radio-Canada, HTV’s website was swiftly taken down, and Ngo’s Facebook profile was made private, leading to the disappearance of digital traces linking him to the company.
Aengus Bridgman from the Media Ecosystem Observatory criticized Facebook for incentivizing the proliferation of low-quality, clickbait content, noting the detrimental impact on users and democratic processes.
Through a combination of corporate documents, on-ground investigations, and digital tools, CBC/Radio-Canada uncovered the extensive network of Facebook pages and websites managed by HTV, targeting audiences across various countries, including the U.K., Europe, the U.S., and Canada.
The investigation traced the network back to HTV through unique identifiers like the “kolax9843” email address found on multiple websites associated with the network, shedding light on the intricate web of connections fueling the spread of misinformation.
Images and corporate records linked CEO Ngo Anh Tan to HTV Network, further solidifying his ties to the company despite his public denial of involvement.
After being contacted by CBC/Radio-Canada, HTV added a disclaimer to its websites, stating that the articles were fictional and intended for entertainment purposes, attempting to distance itself from the fabricated content.
The rise of AI technology and changes in Meta’s monetization policies have facilitated the creation and dissemination of low-quality content at scale, with experts expressing concerns about the lack of oversight and accountability in combating this issue.
Despite the network’s attempt to conceal its operations, investigative efforts have unveiled the intricate web of misinformation being spread by HTV Network, prompting calls for increased scrutiny and regulation of digital platforms.
