News anchor arrested for ‘defamatory’ prison corruption report

[webfact]

News anchor arrested for ‘defamatory’ prison corruption report
By Jaroonroj Tiewpai-ngam
The Nation

 

Yuthiyong Limlertwatee

 

BANGKOK: -- A news anchor has been arrested for violating Computer Crime Act after he allegedly defamed people in a news programme about alleged corruption in the prison system.

 

Crime Suppression Division superintendent Pol Colonel Jiraphob Phooridej said yesterday that police had arrested Yuthiyong Limlertwatee, ASTV News One news anchor, at a cafe in Bangkok’s Wangthonglang district on Tuesday evening under an arrest warrant was issued by Ang Thong Court on January 11.

 

Yuthiyong is accused of posting false information online and defamation.

 

Jiraphob said Yuthiyong had invited a company supplying food to Ang Thong prison on his programme and discussed claims of corruption related to the purchase of food.

 

The person mentioned in relation to the case, whom Jiraphob failed to identify, sued Yuthiyong for defamation, leading to the issuance of the warrant and the arrest on Tuesday.

 

“This is an arrest based on the warrant and Yuthiyong admitted that he was the person named. Further information will be disclosed in court,” he said.

 

Yuthiyong was transferred to Angthong Police custody as the case was being investigated.

 

According to Manager Online, Yuthiyong said he had received the police summons and turned himself in to be interrogated. He added that he was not worried about the case, as he had done his job properly and without a personal agenda. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30314806

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-05-10

[rebo]

Shooting the messenger ...

 

[worgeordie]

Arrest the messenger, becoming  a common occurrence here.

regards worgeordie

[jaltsc]

"A news anchor has been arrested for violating Computer Crime Act after he allegedly defamed people in a news programme about alleged corruption in the prison system."

 

Just his bad luck that he reported in a country where The truth shall NOT set you free.

[candide]

So the suspect, who was not named, was able to file a complain for defamation. That's becoming farcical!

[Bluespunk]

5 minutes ago, candide said:

So the suspect, who was not named, was able to file a complain for defamation. That's becoming farcical!

Becoming?

[Chang_paarp]

We often ask about why there is no investigative journalism in Thailand. 

 

Unfortunately this is the reason.

[Thechook]

These defamation laws are ridiculous and nothing more than a weapon used by bad people to silence others and prevent the truth from coming out.

[colinneil]

23 minutes ago, candide said:

So the suspect, who was not named, was able to file a complain for defamation. That's becoming farcical!

It is not becoming farcical, it is and has been for a long time farcical.

The truth will not out no matter what, we will suppress it, with a pathetic out dated law.

[Thechook]

8 minutes ago, colinneil said:

It is not becoming farcical, it is and has been for a long time farcical.

The truth will not out no matter what, we will suppress it, with a pathetic out dated law.

That's why they will never beat corruption.

[Moonmoon]

instead of a summon for investigation they got an arrest warrant and arrest him in record time..but for some other rich guy they can't even find the pen to sign the arrest warrant for a few years.

 

[Chip Allen]

The Thai culture of "defamation" needs to end. If you don't want to be compared to North Korea, stop ACTING like North Korea.

[darksidedog]

The Computer crimes Act and the Defamation laws here are the most twisted pieces of legislation imaginable. They allow the guilty to jail the people who reveal criminal activity. I note in the story there was no denial of what had happened, just that someone had been allegedly "defamed."

Most of you will recall the BBC's Jonathan Head, who was arrested and similarly charged after reporting pretty accurately on a crooked lawyer.

Laws are supposed to protect the innocent. This very clearly does exactly the opposite and is wheeled out by the Government itself whenever their nefarious activities are revealed. If the Government was anything but completely dishonest and untrustworthy, they would be repealing this legislation immediately.

[williamgeorgeallen]

being a journalist in thailand sounds like a tricky job.

[realenglish1]

Here comes the other foot ladies and gentlemen You were warned and now the noose is tightening

 

 

[maoro2013]

Should the reporter succeed in court then I hope he can sue for defamation of his name in return.

[darksidedog]

Just now, maoro2013 said:

Should the reporter succeed in court then I hope he can sue for defamation of his name in return.

The problem with these laws is that the accuser doesn't have to prove that what was said was untrue. Hell, he can stand up in court and admit that everything the reporter said was correct and still win. All the accuser has to show is that making the claims publicly caused him personal damage, or tarnished his reputation, even if thoroughly deserved. And that is what makes the legislation so reprehensible. Speak the truth, go to jail. If you are a thief or a con man, this is exactly what you need to make sure no one can stop you.

[timewilltell]

So he didn't name the prison but still gets sued for defamation? Really pathetic.

[YetAnother]

defamation here is way out of control; criminalizing it was a horrid,perverted idea

[wprime]

17 hours ago, jaltsc said:

"A news anchor has been arrested for violating Computer Crime Act after he allegedly defamed people in a news programme about alleged corruption in the prison system."

 

Just his bad luck that he reported in a country where The truth shall NOT set you free.

As this story is of public interest, the truth is an absolute defense. It all comes down to how much truth he can afford.

[robblok]

I wonder why none goverment in the last 20-30 years has ever scrapped these crazy defamation laws. Guess none are really for free press and love to use it against their enemies. This truly is  one of the worst laws on the books. 

[Bangkok Barry]

18 hours ago, candide said:

So the suspect, who was not named, was able to file a complain for defamation. That's becoming farcical!

Surely then that is his defense.

[Rhys]

....guess he needed to go to another country to call them cxxholster 45 specials.

 

[Srikcir]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Further information will be disclosed in court

The Thai judicial system can't allow a defendant too much opportunity to build a defense before facing a judge. The result might otherwise defame the prosecution.

[mikebell]

So is it defamation to report the closure of yet another Pattaya bar because the owner could not afford to keep paying police 24K a month?  Right, well I wont report it then.