Police investigate storm of allegations surrounding beauty pageant

Source: Pano feed

The Department of Performing Arts has asked authorities to punish several online newspapers for publishing false information about the Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2013 contest.


(left to right) Doan Thi Kim Hong and Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2013 Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh(left to right) Doan Thi Kim Hong and Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2013 Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh

After Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh was crowned Miss Ethnic Vietnam at a pageant held in Hoi An on June 26, several online newspapers published stories that said Anh bought her victory at a price of VND1.5 billion (USD72,000). Furthermore, there was news that she has had relationship with 15-year-old son of the pageant’s deputy chief organiser.


The organisers were also accused by online newspapers of informing the winner of the questions to be asked beforehand and treating other contestants badly.


These disparaging rumours which were posted and re-posted online apparently originated from one of the contestants, Thoong Cooc Dinh, who later wrote a letter to explain herself and apologise to both Ngoc Anh and the organisers.


“After the contest, our make-up artist, Tran Anh Kiet, called me to a meeting with several other contestants at a cafe. He said that I could feel free tell everyone about my discontent with the pageant. I didn’t know that there were reporters at the meeting. I only told everyone that I’d heard a rumour that Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh bought the title for the amount of VND1.5 billion. I didn’t accuse anyone, and assumed that this was just an informal chat about rumours. The contest was held in a transparent way. The organisers also didn’t force any of us to participate in the contest as some media outlets have reported.”


Another contestant Vu Tran Trieu Thu also said that Tran Anh Kiet had asked her to vent her complaints about the pageant. However Kiet denied the accusation, “I’m working with my lawyer to clear the reputation which I’ve worked so hard to build over the past 16 years.”


Punishments for slander and defamation of character in Vietnam can include two-year term of non-custodial reform or three months to two years of imprisonment.


Anh claimed that she was shocked after reading the news. “I knew that I would have to face some controversy, but I can’t believe the maliciousness of these rumours. The whole thing makes me both sad and angry,” she said.


First Miss World and deputy chief organiser, Doan Thi Kim Hong, said, “All of this information has been fabricated and spread without any evidence to back it up. I think those responsible owe compensation to both Ngoc Anh and the organisers because the slander has resulted in damage to our credibility.”


On July 24, the Department of Performing Arts sent documents asking the ministries of Information and Communications and Public Security to investigate and punish any online newspapers who published false information.


“The authorities must strictly punish the individuals or organisation who spread the rumours to ensure the contest’s transparency and the reputation of all parties involved,” the document said.




Đăng ký: VietNam News