FYI from colleagues in the World Alliance for Christian Communication (WACC)
----- Original Message -----
From: Myriam Horngren <mh@wacc.org.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 7:09 PM
Subject: [alt.wsis] SUPINYA KLANGNARON vs the SHIN Corportation
Dennis Smith is President of the WACC Latin American Region. The
following is a letter from Dennis sent out to the Shin Corporation in
relation to Supinya Klangnarong case on behalf of the WACC Latin
American Region. For further information on the case, please check the
attached rtf document.
22 June 2004
Mr. Boonklee Plangsiri
Chairman of the Group Executive Committee
Shin Corporation Plc.
414 Phaholyothin Road
Samsennai, Phayathai
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
Dear Mr. Boonklee Plangsiri,
Re: Shin Corp. Libel case against Ms Supinya Klangnarong
As an association concerned with freedom of speech in Thailand and the
whole world, we strongly urge the Shin Corporation to drop the suit
filed against Ms Supinya Klangnarong, Secretary General of the Campaign
for Popular Media Reform (CPMR).
According to the information we have received, the preliminary decision
will be given in a civil suit filed by your Shin Corp against Ms Supinya
Klangnarong on 22 June 2004. The libel case was filed after Ms Supinya
observed that Shin Corp's profits have skyrocketed since Mr Thaksin
Shinawatra became Prime Minister.
Latin America's hesitant but persistent steps toward democracy and
steady economic growth have been closely related to the growth of a
strong, inquisitive and independent media. In the case at hand, Ms.
Supinya's support for long-overdue media reform is linked to the
realization of the new Constitution of Thailand introduced in 1997,
which set in place provisions for the democratization of the media.
However, until now the only television station not controlled by the
government or military is owned by Shin Corp. Similarly, radio stations
that have been started by local communities have been threatened by the
government with closure on the grounds that they are "illegal". Under
these circumstances, Ms Supinya has identified Shin Corp as a new media
monopoly emerging between the commercial and government sectors, as
media concessions are issued to Shin Corp and other businesses close to
senior politicians, thereby defeating the purpose of the constitutional
reforms.
Media reform on the basis of provisions in the new Constitution is
essential for opening discussion on serious violations of human rights
and other concerns currently faced by the people in Thailand. If the
case will be taken to the next stage, this will have serious
implications not only for Ms Supinya personally, but for all efforts to
democratize media in Thailand.
Therefore, the more than 150 communications institutions and
communications professionals that make up the Latin America Region of
the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) strongly urge
the Shin Corp. to drop the suit against Ms Supinya immediately. As a
media corporation you have a social responsibility to uphold freedom of
speech; therefore we request that you take part in media reform and
create a better environment for democracy.
Yours sincerely
Dennis A. Smith, President
WACC-AL
Myriam Horngren
CRIS Network and Campaign Coordinator
c/o WACC
357 Kennington Lane
London SE11 5QY
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 (0) 207 582 9139
Fax: 44 (0) 207 735 0340
web: www.crisinfo.org
email: mh@wacc.org.uk
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