Thailands judicial system upholds press freedom as it acquits Thailands media activist Supinya Klangnarong from libel charges filed two years ago by the Shin Corporation, a giant telecommunications firm. Supinyas acquittal, announced on March 15, 2006, has given hope to Thai journalists to continue their work despite the intimidation of large companies.

Two years ago, Supinya, secretary general of the Campaign for Popular Media, said that the Shin Corporation had a mutually beneficial relationship with the Thaksin administration and the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party (Thais Love Thai - TRT). In an article that appeared in the Thai Post, Supinya claimed that the revenue of the Shin Corporation had increased substantially after company founder Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister.

The Shin Corporation accused her of libel and sued her, along with five other newspaper executives and staff of the Thai Post, on defamation charges.  Criminal charges included a two-year jail term and a fine up to 200,000 baht (USD5,000). The Corporation also sought 400 million baht (USD10 million) in compensation in a civil suit.

Critics believed that the Shin Corporation was trying to incite public debate, and Thaksin indicatedbut never stated specificallythat he supported the lawsuits. Media analysts saw the case as a warning to activists and journalists to avoid writing or criticising big companies linked to members of the Thai Rak Thai party. Typically, the business interests of leading TRT members include empires in the entertainment, transport, and the industrial sector.

However, the ruling of the Criminal Court found that Supinya's statements were not considered as defaming the plaintiff.  The Court finds that as a publicly listed company using public resources for profit, the Shin Corporation should expect to be scrutinised by the public. The verdict also argued that a link between a public figure such as the prime minister and the company he founded was reason enough to raise public interest.

Press freedom has faced some setbacks in the country, particularly in 2005 when 50 libel cases were filed against Thai journalists and media rights campaigners, marking a two-fold increase over suits filed during the previous year.

After the two-year legal battle, Supinya expressed happiness over the verdict. I feel free, she said. This is the Thai publics victory, not only my own personal victory because it is about the interest of the Thai public.

Sources:

Bangkok Post. (2006). Supinya wins Shin Corp defamation case.  Retrieved March 20, 2006 from
<http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=85272>.

Macan-Markar, M.  (2006). Libel case backfires on PM's firm.  InterPress Service. Retrieved March 20, 2006 from <http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=32510>.

The Nation. (2006). Media critic acquitted in defamation suit by PM's former telecom firm.  Retrieved March 20, 2006 from <http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/15/headlines/headlines_20002797.php>.