News agency boss claims former Reuters writer defamed him
The director of Isra News Agency, Prasong Lertrattanavisut, filed a complaint on Friday against former Reuters Thailand correspondent Andrew MacGregor Marshall, who allegedly defamed him in a Facebook post.
Isra Institute issued a second statement, signed by its executive Wimolpan Pitathawatchai, on Saturday saying Prasong had filed a complaint with the Technology Crime Suppression Division as Marshall had defamed him.
In the statement, the institute said the inquiring officer had told them that Marshall is already wanted by police. Marshall has faced several complaints for allegedly being provocative and causing division to Thai society, the statement said.
The institute insisted it would do everything to help get Prasong through the current situation, allegedly caused by some people who had been troubled by Isra’s investigative reports.
The institute also threatened to take legal action against anyone who did any harm to the integrity of the news agency, Prasong and its reporters.
Isra News Agency has played a vital role in reporting investigative reports against politicians and government officials.
The development came after reports were recently circulated alleging sexual harassment against a young employee by a media executive.