2006年VOA标准英语-Thai Court Finds Media Activist Not Guilty

By Ron Corben
Bangkok
15 March 2006
 
A Thai court has cleared a media activist¹ of criminal libel in a case filed by a company founded by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The decision is seen as a step forward in media freedom in Thailand.

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Supinya Klangnarong, center, a Thai media activist is congratulated by well-wishers outside a criminal court room in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, March 15, 2006   
  

A Bangkok judge Wednesday declared media activist Supinya Klanarong and a Thai newspaper were not guilty in a case that had led to fears Thailand's media freedoms were being undermined.

Telecommunications company Shin Corporation filed criminal libel charges against the Thai Post and Supinya, secretary general of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, in 2003.

Shin said its reputation had been unfairly damaged by a July 2003 article in which Supinya was quoted as saying the corporation's profits had tripled due to its political connections. 
 

Thaksin Shinawatra  
  
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra founded Shin Corporation and his family recently sold its final stake in the company.

The company also has filed a separate civil lawsuit² against Supinya and Thai Post officials, but lawyers say it is now likely the civil case will be dropped.

Supinya said Wednesday the verdict focused on freedom of the press in Thailand.

"It shows that what we believe in freedom, truth and justice still prevail in Thai society. And the case today referred to the principle of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. As my part, I had right to speak for the public interest, and as for Thai Post  they have the right to do their job for public interest as well," Supinya said.

The audience in the packed courtroom burst into applause on hearing the verdict. Chanida Chanyapate Bamford, with the rights group Focus on the Global South, was there.

"The court dismissed the case. It said that Supinya has done her job with good intention and good faith so there was no intention to harm Shin Corp in any way. So that was great," Chanida said.

Shawn Crispin, Asia program consultant³ for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the decision was highly significant, especially in establishing the Thai judiciary's independence.

"This sets an important precedent⁴ for press freedom across the board here. This sends notice to the government that if the government has affiliated⁵ business interests that trying to use litigation against freedom of the press won't work. And that's a very important message," Crispin said.

Other regional media organizations also welcomed the decision. The Asian Human Rights Commission, in Hong Kong, said the judgment⁶ is a "good and fair" outcome, and upholds the principles of freedom of expression as set down in the Thai constitution.

Thailand's media have come under intense pressure from the government and businesses since Prime Minister Thaksin came to power in 2001, with growing accusations⁷ that the government has tried to suppress criticism. As a result, international media watchdogs have downgraded Thailand's international position on media freedom.

Wednesday's verdict comes as Prime Minister Thaksin faces growing protests. Thousands of people have demonstrated over the past month in Bangkok, calling on Mr. Thaksin to resign over allegations of abuse of power. 

1 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

2 lawsuit   

n.诉讼，控诉

参考例句：

• They threatened him with a lawsuit.他们以诉讼威逼他。
• He was perpetually involving himself in this long lawsuit.他使自己无休止地卷入这场长时间的诉讼。

3 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

4 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

5 affiliated   

adj. 附属的, 有关连的

参考例句：

• The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。
• All affiliated members can vote. 所有隶属成员都有投票权。

6 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

7 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。