Punishment for defamation at the Miss Ethnic Groups 2013 pageant.
Individuals involved in disseminating false information about the "Miss Ethnic Groups of Vietnam 2013" competition will be punished according to the provisions of the Law on Handling Administrative Violations.
The Department of Internal Political Security (General Department of Security) has just issued công văn (official letter) No. 174/TB-A83C3, dated April 14, 2015, announcing the results of handling the case of spreading false information about the "3rd Miss Ethnic Groups of Vietnam 2013" competition.
The official letter was sent to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the People's Committee of Quang Nam province, the Committee for Ethnic Minorities, and CIAT International Advertising and Trade Fair Joint Stock Company.
The official document stated: The 3rd Miss Ethnic Groups of Vietnam 2013 pageant, held in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province from March 15, 2013 to June 21, 2013, was a great success. It was an important cultural event aimed at honoring the intelligence, talent, and beauty of young women from Vietnam's ethnic groups; strengthening the solidarity and close ties among the 54 ethnic groups; and preserving and promoting traditional cultural heritage. Through the pageant, it contributed to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people to tourists and international friends.
Miss Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh on the night she was crowned Miss Ethnic Groups of Vietnam 2013.
However, after the competition ended, numerous articles appeared in the press and online that misrepresented the competition. The Department of Internal Political Security, in coordination with the Security Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, conducted an investigation to verify the violations of the organizations and individuals involved.
Upon investigation, the individuals' actions violated press laws and showed signs of criminal activity (Article 258 of the Penal Code). However, more than a year has passed since the incident, and the consequences and impact of the actions are no longer as severe as before. The individuals themselves have confessed and repented. Therefore, while the matter does not warrant criminal prosecution, administrative action is necessary to serve as a deterrent and educational measure.
On December 1, 2014, the General Department of Security II sent a letter to the Ministry of Information and Communications requesting action against two reporters, Nguyen Duy Cuong (of the newspaper Doi Song & Phap Luat), Do Quoc Hung (of the newspaper Mot va Cuoc Song), and editor Nguyen Thao Minh Chau for their violations.
Regarding the individuals Tran Anh Kiet, Truong Thi Kieu Diem, Pham Thanh Tam, Thoong Cooc Dinh, and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hieu, who provided biased and unverified information to journalists, Department A83 has imposed penalties in accordance with the Law on Handling Administrative Violations.
Previously, after the final night of the Miss Ethnic Groups of Vietnam 2013 pageant concluded with the crowning of Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, on July 3, 2013, several media outlets published information about controversies surrounding the pageant. Rumors circulated that the new Miss Ethnic Groups of Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, had bought the title for 1.5 billion VND and was "dating" the 15-year-old son of Ms. Kim Hong (Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee)...
Immediately, the organizing committee of the Miss Ethnic Groups of Vietnam 2013 pageant requested the police to investigate.
According to VOV
