IFJ condemns of criminal defamation case against Supinya Klangnarong
Over 40 journalist leaders met in Taipei, Taiwan over July 7-10 at an International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Asia-Pacific conference called "Media for Democracy - the Challenge in Asia".
Hosted by the IFJ's Taiwan affiliate, the Association of Taiwan Journalists, and supported by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, the meeting brought together leaders of journalists' organisations from: Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.
The meeting passed the following resolution:
This meeting of over 40 journalists' leaders from the International Federation of Journalists Asia-Pacific group, led by the IFJ President Christopher Warren, meeting in Taipei from 7-10 July:
RECOGNISING that the jailing of journalists is a disproportionate punishment for defamation, that it is an ineffective penalty that curtails press freedom and deprives the journalist of their liberty;
CONDEMNS the crippling criminal libel suit brought against Thai journalist and media activist Supinya Klangnarong and her publication The Thai Post. She faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 400 million baht (approximately US$10 million) if found guilty of defamation charges brought against her by the telecommunications corporation Shin Corp, which is owned by the family of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Even if Klangnarong and her colleagues, who have pleaded not guilty, escape jail, the financial burden placed on this media publication could potentially force it to close, which would be a major blow to press freedom in Thailand;
CALLS on the IFJ affiliates to protest against the trial, which is due to begin on July 19, 2005;
DEMANDS that the government of Thailand remove criminal defamation laws from it statutes.
For further information, please contact Christopher Warren on +61 411 757 668.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
