NMG executive sues columnist

[Lite Beer]

NMG executive sues columnist
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- Sermsin Samalapa, a major shareholder and vice chairman of Nation Multimedia Group Plc (NMG), has sued columnist Tana Toommanon for alleged libel, seeking damages of Bt50 million.

The lawsuit, filed with the Criminal Court on Friday, followed a number of writings on Tana's Facebook pages accusing Sermsin of selling his shares in NMG to Solution Corner Plc (SLC), which has acquired large amounts of shares worth over Bt1 billion in the media company.

NMG owns three newspapers, including The Nation, as well as other media outlets such as Nation TV and Now 26 TV channels.

Sermsin's lawyer, Democrat Party politician Wirat Kalayasiri, filed the lawsuit on his behalf.

The petition said that Tana falsely accused Sermsin of cooperating with cohorts of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in an attempt to take control of NMG and its media outlets. The Facebook writings were posted between December 19 and 22.

"The writings has tarnished Sermsin's reputation. He has been condemned as having no principle and betraying his colleagues at NMG. His credibility has been severely affected," the lawsuit said.

Wirat said Sermsin had nothing to do with SLC or any attempt to dominate the mass media. "Sermsin had also not cooperated with them, as accused by Tana," he said. Sermsin has sued Tana for libel and allegedly putting untrue information in the computer system. He also has sued Tana in a civil case, seeking damages of Bt50 million, according to the lawyer.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/NMG-executive-sues-columnist-30251655.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-11

[Thai at Heart]

I would say he has a good case. The column sounds like pure hearsay accusing someonenof something that is virtually unprovable.

Someone is trying to buy some shares and the nation is running around like some national treasure deserving of special treatment.

[jcisco]

If you could recognize what was said as beyond the authors knowledge or an outright fabrication.. Somewhat difficult to claim distress from libel .Anyways since this was on facebook it was mouthing off and hardly journalism so i'd too say that case got some standing

[Thai at Heart]

If you could recognize what was said as beyond the authors knowledge or an outright fabrication.. Somewhat difficult to claim distress from libel .Anyways since this was on facebook it was mouthing off and hardly journalism so i'd too say that case got some standing

He probably has a case for damages because the statemwnts may have caused damage to a legal takeover.

[Caveat Emptor]

2 additions to the PMs Core Values and Thainess, lousy journalism and the ever popular defamation laws.

[noitom]

So now the writer has to "prove" his statements are accurate. I believe that is the basis of a libel suit to determine truth/veracity of the claims although that might be slander.

[casualbiker]

A non story if it hasn't actually got the accusations printed.

[Suradit69]

I would say he has a good case. The column sounds like pure hearsay accusing someonenof something that is virtually unprovable.

Someone is trying to buy some shares and the nation is running around like some national treasure deserving of special treatment.

"I would say he has a good case. The column sounds like pure hearsay accusing someonenof something that is virtually unprovable."

Sounds like you're describing many/most of the Thai bashing posts on Thai Visa.

[ggt]

His credibility has been severely affected!

This is actually true of most Thai officials in both the business and government...

[Basil B]

His credibility has been severely affected!

This is actually true of most Thai officials in both the business and government...

And there are a few good persons with honourable intentions who are the first to maligned by those with evil intentions...

The writer needs to prove the facts or pay up (or at least apologise) and shut up.

[englishoak]

More children fighting in the sandpit ..... My lawyers bigger than yours, 50m should cover it blah blah blah

[maidee]

facebook

responsible for

many divorces, murders and job losses

[bkkjames]

facebook

responsible for

many divorces, murders and job losses

It's a poor musician who blames his instrument.