TV producer charged for defamation

 

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

TCN TV producer has been charged in court for airing news claiming that Kandal provincial authorities had received bribes from illegal gambling den owners to turn a blind eye. 

Thai Bunrith, 51, had allegedly aired the allegations on Facebook live and was charged in Kandal provincial court yesterday. 

Kandal Provincial Court Investigating Judge Ath Chandara said Bunrith was charged with “Inciting to Discriminate and Public Defamation” under Articles 494, 496, and 305 of the Criminal Code.

If convicted, he faces a maximum two-year jail term. 

Kandal Provincial police officer Major Leang Sameth said yesterday Bunrith’s broadcast on Facebook live via his TCN TV channel claimed that police and military police officers were complicit with illegal gambling operators in online gambling and lottery, and cock fighting in Kandal province. 

He said that during Bunrith’s May 24 broadcast, Bunrith, who appeared drunk, openly insulted both the provincial police chief and provincial military police commander and other relevant authorities. 

Burith, he said, alleged that both police chiefs were corrupt and received bribes from owners of illegal gambling shops in exchange for not taking action against them. 

“He had also insinuated that the ruling Cambodian People's Party provincial authorities were corrupt and took bribes.

“His allegations are not true. His intentions were to discredit the provincial authorities and incite people to discriminate against the government,” Maj Sameth added.

He said that Bunrith was arrested on May 26 following a lawsuit filed by the Kandal Provincial Police.




 

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