In an unprecedented move, the Constitutional Court is seeking legal action against two online news outlets, accusing them of spreading false and distorted information about its judicial proceedings.
In a press release, issued today, the Office of the Constitutional Court says that it has taken legal action against the Facebook page “The Critics” and the YouTube channel “Thai Direction Institute,” both of which allegedly disseminated misleading clips.
The Court said several video clips and news reports, concerning the suspended prime minister’s witness hearing over her conversation with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on August 21, had been circulated through various media channels.
These, it claims, contained false information and distortions of facts related to the Court’s inquiry process.
The Court was referring to video clips and news reports circulated by various media channels, which falsely claimed that a Constitutional Court judge addressed Paetongtarn Shinawatra by saying, “Sit down, my child,” when the judge had, in fact, said, “Sit down, please.”
The content, according to the Court, misled the public, damaged the Court’s reputation and constituted potential violations of the Computer Crime Act of 2007 and other relevant laws.
The Court stressed that such actions may also amount to contempt of court.
On August 26, the Court filed a formal complaint with the Technology Crime Suppression Division, asking investigators to take legal action against the two online news outlets.
