vigilant TV

Two Cambodian journalists have been charged with incitement following anti-Thai riots over rumoured insults by a Thai actress. Significantly, the editor’s story reportedly includes no statements that could be described as inciting; it was the information in the story (the rumoured insult) that “incited” the riot. If that’s true, it means any report about the incident could conceivably be construed as “inciting”.

In Chansivutha, 48, editor of Rasmei Angkor, was formally accused of inciting the riots by publishing false information, while 42 others were charged with destruction of property and looting.

The editor is the second journalist to be charged over inciting the riots by publishing false information, after Beehive Radio station owner Mam Sonando appeared in court yesterday and was charged.

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In Chansivutha said his report was based on information from three women who came to his office and told him that soap opera star Suvanant Kongying had claimed that Cambodia’s world-famous Angkor Wat temples belonged to Thailand.

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“I had no ability to investigate whether she had really said that or not and my aim was to allow the country and the government to investigate.”

– AFP, Editor and 42 others charged over anti-Thai riots.