March 15th, 2006, 17:21
Someone has got so much money, and they think they can sue everyone.
Supinya wins Shin Corp defamation case
(BP) The Criminal Court has dismissed defamation charges by Shin Corp against media activist Supinya Klangnarong and all co-defendants, saying she had the right to express her opinions about the company and government.
The court said her statements did not defame the plaintiff, Shin Corp.
"I feel free," said Ms Supinya. "In today's social crisis in Thailand, only the judicial system has proved to be something we can believe in."
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance, the region's leading advocate for press freedom, issued a statement saying the outcome of the case would have a direct and long-lasting impact on freedom of expression in Thailand.
Ms Supinya, secretary general of the Campaign for Popular Media, said in an interview on July 16, 2003, with the newspaper Thai Post that the revenue of Shin Corp had increased substantially after company founder Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister.
Shin Corp sued her and five newspaper executives and staff for defamation. Many believed Shin Corp was trying to intimidate public debate, and Mr Thaksin indicated - but never stated specifically - that he supported the lawsuits.
The court ruling said that Shin Corp was a publicly listed company and had to expect to be scrutinised by the public. The fact that the prime minister was head of the family controlling Shin Corp at the time of the lawsuit and Ms Supinya's statements also showed the activist was commenting in good faith.
A companion civil suit sought 400 million baht from Ms Supinya.
The legal team for Shin Corp, which was sold to Temasek Holdings - an investment arm of the Singapore government - on January 23, attempted to drop the case against Supinya last month and settle out of court.
Shin Corp's lawyers again tried to drop charges against Supinya and four other defendants Wednesday afternoon, before the Criminal Court read out its verdict, but the accused insisted the judges go ahead.
The verdict was greeted with loud applause from the 200 people attending the court case, deemed a litmus test for Thailand's press freedom.
Upon entering the court Supinya told reporters she thought her chances were 50/50 for winning.
"This is not a private case but a public one about press freedom," said Supinya, explaining her decision to allow the court to decide her fate.
A major Hong Kong supporter of Ms Supinya emailed the trial result to others
"It is with great pleasure that the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you of the outcome in todayтАЩs final judgement given in the trial of media reform campaigner Ms Supinya Klangnarong and the Thai Post newspaper," it said.
However, the statement said, "[T]he AHRC remains concerned about criminal defamation in Thailand, as this case demonstrates the huge financial and human resources required to fight such a charge."
The group said it is vital that political reform in Thailand include changing the "antiquated" defamation laws at odds with constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and the press.
- with material from dpa news agency
From Bangkok Post : http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_new ... p?id=85272 (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=85272)
Supinya wins Shin Corp defamation case
(BP) The Criminal Court has dismissed defamation charges by Shin Corp against media activist Supinya Klangnarong and all co-defendants, saying she had the right to express her opinions about the company and government.
The court said her statements did not defame the plaintiff, Shin Corp.
"I feel free," said Ms Supinya. "In today's social crisis in Thailand, only the judicial system has proved to be something we can believe in."
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance, the region's leading advocate for press freedom, issued a statement saying the outcome of the case would have a direct and long-lasting impact on freedom of expression in Thailand.
Ms Supinya, secretary general of the Campaign for Popular Media, said in an interview on July 16, 2003, with the newspaper Thai Post that the revenue of Shin Corp had increased substantially after company founder Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister.
Shin Corp sued her and five newspaper executives and staff for defamation. Many believed Shin Corp was trying to intimidate public debate, and Mr Thaksin indicated - but never stated specifically - that he supported the lawsuits.
The court ruling said that Shin Corp was a publicly listed company and had to expect to be scrutinised by the public. The fact that the prime minister was head of the family controlling Shin Corp at the time of the lawsuit and Ms Supinya's statements also showed the activist was commenting in good faith.
A companion civil suit sought 400 million baht from Ms Supinya.
The legal team for Shin Corp, which was sold to Temasek Holdings - an investment arm of the Singapore government - on January 23, attempted to drop the case against Supinya last month and settle out of court.
Shin Corp's lawyers again tried to drop charges against Supinya and four other defendants Wednesday afternoon, before the Criminal Court read out its verdict, but the accused insisted the judges go ahead.
The verdict was greeted with loud applause from the 200 people attending the court case, deemed a litmus test for Thailand's press freedom.
Upon entering the court Supinya told reporters she thought her chances were 50/50 for winning.
"This is not a private case but a public one about press freedom," said Supinya, explaining her decision to allow the court to decide her fate.
A major Hong Kong supporter of Ms Supinya emailed the trial result to others
"It is with great pleasure that the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you of the outcome in todayтАЩs final judgement given in the trial of media reform campaigner Ms Supinya Klangnarong and the Thai Post newspaper," it said.
However, the statement said, "[T]he AHRC remains concerned about criminal defamation in Thailand, as this case demonstrates the huge financial and human resources required to fight such a charge."
The group said it is vital that political reform in Thailand include changing the "antiquated" defamation laws at odds with constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and the press.
- with material from dpa news agency
From Bangkok Post : http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_new ... p?id=85272 (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=85272)