Isra sues Marshall for web post

>> The Isra Institute’s director has sued Scottish journalist Andrew MacGregor Marshall for defamation over a Facebook post which identifies him as a sexual harassment suspect.

The media organisation yesterday issued a statement saying director Prasong Lertratanawisute has filed a complaint with the Technology Crime Suppression Division asking it to take legal against the Scottish journalist for defamation.

Marshall, who lives outside Thailand, also faces lese majeste charges.

The statement, signed by Isra Institute chairwoman Vimolphan Peetathawatchai, said that all of its employees will do all they can to help Mr Prasong to get through the difficult times caused by a group of people whose interests have been affected by the institute’s investigative reporting.

The institute has reserved its right to pursue legal and civil lawsuits against anyone who causes damage to the reputation of Mr Prasong, the institute and its employees.

Earlier on Friday, Isra also issued a statement to defend Mr Prasong.

According to Isra, the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) had earlier published a statement that an executive of a media organisation had been accused of sexual harassment, leading to the resignation of an employee. The statement did not name the suspect.

The matter has caused widespread public outrage, casting the ethical and moral standards and the credibility of all media professionals in a negative light.

The TJA said it will set up a panel to unearth the truth, but no progress has been made public so far, according to Isra.

Marshall, a former Reuters reporter, later posted on his Facebook page, identifying Mr Prasong as the sexual harassment suspect.

The institute’s statement said the accusation was a departure from truth, and the institute and its employees have found the actions of those involved in damaging its reputation totally unacceptable.

The statement said that while the work of the Isra Institute and the Isra News Agency, which has been set up for investigative reporting, has helped bring about significant changes to society, their work has also affected the vested interests of certain groups.

Therefore, Mr Prasong has unavoidably been targeted by those who have lost their benefits as a result of the institute’s reporting, the statement said.