Website Editor's Trial In Thailand A Test Case For Media Freedom

[Buchholz]

Verdict delayed for Thai media site's webmaster

April 29, 2012 BANGKOK - A Thai judge postponed a verdict that had been expected Monday for a webmaster accused of failing to act quickly enough to remove Internet posts deemed insulting to Thailand's royalty. Judge Nittaya Yaemsri said more time was need to process documents in the case, which has drawn global criticism because many see it as an assault on freedom of speech. A new court date was set for May 30.

Chiranuch Premchaiporn -- widely known by her nickname, Jiew -- is facing up to 20 years in jail for 10 comments posted on her paper's now-defunct web board by readers she says she does not know.includes defaming the monarchy.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said last week that the prosecution of Chiranuch "sends a chilling message to webmasters and Internet companies."

Continues:

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2012/04/29/thai_court_set_to_give_verdict_on_webmaster/

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[Buchholz]

Thai Court Convicts Web Editor in Free Speech Case

A Thai court has convicted a website manager on computer crimes charges for failing to act quickly enough to remove online comments that were deemed offensive to the country's monarchy.

The Bangkok Criminal Court on Wednesday gave an eight-month suspended jail sentence to Chiranuch Premchaiporn for not respecting a court order to promptly remove the comments made by other people from her popular news website, Prachatai.

Chiranuch, who was also fined $630, was originally given a one-year jail term. But it was reduced to eight months and suspended because she cooperated with the court. Chiranuch told reporters after her court hearing that she thought the suspended sentence was “acceptable,” but that she may appeal the guilty verdict.

Continued:

http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/05/30/thai-court-convicts-web-editor-in-free-speech-case/

Voice of America - 58 minutes ago

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[whybother]

Thai Court Convicts Web Editor in Free Speech Case

A Thai court has convicted a website manager on computer crimes charges for failing to act quickly enough to remove online comments that were deemed offensive to the country's monarchy.

The Bangkok Criminal Court on Wednesday gave an eight-month suspended jail sentence to Chiranuch Premchaiporn for not respecting a court order to promptly remove the comments made by other people from her popular news website, Prachatai.

Chiranuch, who was also fined $630, was originally given a one-year jail term. But it was reduced to eight months and suspended because she cooperated with the court. Chiranuch told reporters after her court hearing that she thought the suspended sentence was “acceptable,” but that she may appeal the guilty verdict.

Continued:

http://blogs.voanews...ee-speech-case/

Voice of America - 58 minutes ago

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I'm not sure whether to "Like" or "Unlike" this.

On one hand, it's good that she didn't go to jail, OTOH, it's ridiculous that she was charged with anything in the first place.

[phiphidon]

Thai Court Convicts Web Editor in Free Speech Case

A Thai court has convicted a website manager on computer crimes charges for failing to act quickly enough to remove online comments that were deemed offensive to the country's monarchy.

The Bangkok Criminal Court on Wednesday gave an eight-month suspended jail sentence to Chiranuch Premchaiporn for not respecting a court order to promptly remove the comments made by other people from her popular news website, Prachatai.

Chiranuch, who was also fined $630, was originally given a one-year jail term. But it was reduced to eight months and suspended because she cooperated with the court. Chiranuch told reporters after her court hearing that she thought the suspended sentence was “acceptable,” but that she may appeal the guilty verdict.

Continued:

http://blogs.voanews...ee-speech-case/

Voice of America - 58 minutes ago

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I'm not sure whether to "Like" or "Unlike" this.

On one hand, it's good that she didn't go to jail, OTOH, it's ridiculous that she was charged with anything in the first place.

For once I agree with you. Pravit from The Nation has now been warned of possible LM Charge/s. What is more disturbing is that one man is responsible for pressing for the charges against Pravit and Chiranuch and 14 other people. He has been identified as a yellow shirt activist from Roi Et who claims he was a PAD guard at several yellow shirt rallies. For more read;

http://asiancorrespondent.com/83185/without-fear-or-favor-journalist-pravit-rojanaphruk-under-investigation-for-charges-of-lese-majeste/

[ttelise]

Governance by intimidation

Edited May 30, 2012 by ttelise

[animatic]

Thai Court Convicts Web Editor in Free Speech Case

A Thai court has convicted a website manager on computer crimes charges for failing to act quickly enough to remove online comments that were deemed offensive to the country's monarchy.

The Bangkok Criminal Court on Wednesday gave an eight-month suspended jail sentence to Chiranuch Premchaiporn for not respecting a court order to promptly remove the comments made by other people from her popular news website, Prachatai.

Chiranuch, who was also fined $630, was originally given a one-year jail term. But it was reduced to eight months and suspended because she cooperated with the court. Chiranuch told reporters after her court hearing that she thought the suspended sentence was “acceptable,” but that she may appeal the guilty verdict.

Continued:

http://blogs.voanews...ee-speech-case/

Voice of America - 58 minutes ago

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I'm not sure whether to "Like" or "Unlike" this.

On one hand, it's good that she didn't go to jail, OTOH, it's ridiculous that she was charged with anything in the first place.

It is bad, bad, bad for anyone running a forum.

[animatic]

Governance by intimidation

More like control of information portals by using any small breach as a cudgel.

The presumption that any webmaster can keep up with the rough and tumble

and SPEED of modern forums defies logic.

[jackinbkk]

I'm amazed this thread isnt already closed based on what it's about. Long live democracy

[volk666]

LM law is the biggest insult to the Monarchy... As they are now they serve the purpose of giving petty, vindictive people power which otherwise wouldn't have to attack their enemies ...

Umm, I can also think of several petty and vindictive people who enjoy the power of protesting against LM laws to attack their enemies, too. This arguments goes both ways.

Look how some posters here use LM laws to attack Abhisit, Democrats and elites, for example. Those are much much bigger targets than uncle SMS or even Chiranuch. Sondhi L. was charged with LM once, too, and he's a far bigger target for his enemies than, say Joe Gordon or Da Torpedo.

[gand]

Dragging Thailand into the 21st century kicking and screaming.

[jayboy]

Both self-important hi-so's Yingluck and Thaksin have said there will be no changes to the law.

Self-important hi-so Chalerm has established an LM "War Room" to scrutinize for even additional offenders.

This is what the "people" have got from their "legitimately won election."

Your comments seem even more muddled than usual.In your anxiety to make political hate points about the governmment I'm afraid you have reached new levels of absurdity.For some bizarre reason you ramble on about implied doubts about legitimately won elections.I thought even the crazies had stopped fighting that battle

Whatever some of the redshirt radical section may have wished for or hoped for it was never an electoral promise of this government to tinker with the LM legislation.I believe there were some comments that LM legislation should not be abused but this sentiment runs cross party.Abhisit was quite outspoken about the abuse of LM but never did anything about it, presumably for the same reasons the current government wishes to steer clear of controversy on this subject (indeed as you point out - Chalerm's efforts - ramping up the vigilance.)The logic for any government in Thailand is very simple namely that there is very little political upside in reforming LM but potentially a huge downside.

While your experience of upper class Thai society is presumably rather limited you can be forgiven for misunderstanding the social nuances.I can assure you that none of the people you mentioned would normally be regarded as "hi-so".

I'm sure you don't appreciate your errors being corrected.My advice would be not to let your hatred of the government obscure all your comments.This way you might be taken rather more seriously..

Anyway the attached report gives a fair minded overview.Shaun Crispin's comments in particular should be noted.

http://www.cpj.org/2012/05/webmasters-conviction-undermines-thai-internet-fre.php

[Morakot]

Governance by intimidation

Well said!

[Buchholz]

Just 2 relevant points here.

Firstly, the Computer Crime Act was passed into law by a military junta that itself had no legal foundation.

Secondly, Chiranuch Premchaiporn was charged in 2009, by officials acting for Abhisit's puppet regime, which itself had no electoral mandate.

Time for Yingluck to sweep the whole kettle of stinking fish into the dustbin, after all, she does have the legitimacy of actually winning an election and should govern on behalf of the people, not a coterie of self important hi-so's.

Both self-important hi-so's Yingluck and Thaksin have said there will be no changes to the law.

Self-important hi-so Chalerm has established an LM "War Room" to scrutinize for even additional offenders.

This is what the "people" have got from their "legitimately won election."

Your comments seem even more muddled than usual.In your anxiety to make political hate points about the governmment I'm afraid you have reached new levels of absurdity.For some bizarre reason you ramble on about implied doubts about legitimately won elections.I thought even the crazies had stopped fighting that battle

In your rush to hammer out some ranting personal attack of a 3 month old post, try and read it in the context of the post it was in reply to.

No need to rush a reply.

Take another three months to sort things out for your next flaming diatribe.

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[volk666]

I can assure you that none of the people you mentioned would normally be regarded as "hi-so".

Looks pretty hi-so from where we are, your POV is obviously much higher and you never forget to tell us about it.