Alert — Mongolia
17 December, 2010
SOURCE: Globe International NGO
The lower (first instance) court of Kherlen soum (eastern Dornod province) has dismissed a civil lawsuit claiming “business reputation protection” against the Shine Suvag TV channel.
On August 6 and 10, 2010, the Shine Suvag TV broadcasted a news item concerning complaints by local residents about "doubtful" activities by the Chinese JIAB LLC company.
On September 9, 2010, JIAB company director Mr Ja Shi Shing filed in the Kherlen soum court a claim of damage to business reputation, asking for the broadcast of a withdrawal and legal punitive action against the Sine Suvag TV administration ensuring no repetition of the accusations on Shine Suvag or any other TV station.
Shine Suvag TV director Ms. S.Delger, in a statement to the Kherlen soum court, noted: ”We have been broadcasting for ten years, during which time we have never been accused of abrogation of neutrality and have never received complaints that we have taken sides. We broadcast this news as accurately reflecting information from local residents. We will continue to take action to expose any foreigners who break Mongolian law and will continue to broadcast fair and unbiased information.”
On October 22, 2010, the Globe International lawyer sent to Kherlen soum court a respondent`s statement on the case.
On November 18, 2010, the Kherlen soum court reviewed the case and dismissed the complaint, noting: ”As to the broadcast by Shine Suvag TV news based on complaints from local residents, there is no evidence that the news defamed the business reputation of JIAB, had a negative effect on their business or reduced their profits. In addition, the plaintiffs were unable to validate their claims nor demonstrate to the court their complaint that the broadcast news did not correspond with reality.”
For more information:
Globe International NGO
Chingeltei district, 6th khoroo,
Diplomat 95 Complex, Entrance 6, #70,
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Phone: +976 11 324764, +976 11 324627
Fax: +976 11 315326
E-mail: hnaran@globeinter.org.mn
globenews@globeinter.org.mn
globe@globeinter.org.mn,
http://www.globeinter.org.mn