17 July 2018
HANOI: A popular Vietnamese news website has been suspended and fined about $10,000 (332,000 baht) after it was accused of publishing false information, as the communist government quashes any perceived criticism.

The one-party state controls most media and has jailed activists and bloggers critical of the government, but revoking licences is rare.

The Ministry of Information and Communication said in an announcement Monday that the state-owned Tuoi Tre Online misquoted President Tran Dai Quang in an article in June that had him endorsing the idea of a law on demonstrations.

In a separate report last year on highway development, comments posted on the site had also contributed to undermining "national unity", the announcement said.

The report on the president came days after scores were detained in June, following sometimes violent protests in several cities against planned special economic zones seen as opening the door to land takeovers by China.

An American-Vietnamese citizen arrested during the crackdown is expected to face trial this week.

The demonstrations were not mentioned in the order from the ministry, which said the outlet must pay a fine, surrender its licence for three months, publish a correction and issue an apology.

"Tuoi Tre Online must seriously obey this decision," the ministry said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/ ... ssues-fine

wonder what took them so long? looking for the right excuse?

They are still online.... It was only the Vietnamese language news online suspended. English site is still running.
https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/201 ... 46716.html