Supinya Klangnarong

Supinya Klangnarong is a Thai media rights advocate, a graduate from Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University (BA), Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasart University (MA) and University of Westminster, London (MA.Communication Policy and Regulations).She had been the secretary-general (2003-2008) of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR), now she is vice-chair of CPMR.

In the path of struggle against the elected Prime Minister of Thailand, Supinya joined the People Alliances for Democracy (PAD), anti-Thaksin movement in 2006, and accordingly, was allegedly a part of the pro-coup activists in Thailand. When PAD revives again in 2008, Supinya denies to join them, she has also been criticised by the member of PAD.

On July 16, 2003, the "Thai Post", a Thai-language daily newspaper, published comments from Supinya who said that Shin Corporation, then majority owned by the family of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had benefited because of favorable policies by the Thaksin government.

Shin Corp. filed a criminal libel lawsuit over the article, naming Supinya and the paper as co-defendants. A civil suit filed by Shin sought 400 million baht in compensation.

After the Thaksin family sold its shares in Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings, the company offered to drop the lawsuit on the condition that Supinya apologize for her comments. Supinya refused the offer.

On March 14, 2006, the Criminal Court threw out the criminal lawsuit, saying the article in the "Thai Post" was presented in good faith and in the public's best interest. On May 8, 2006, Shin Corp. asked that the civil lawsuit be withdrawn. Neither Supinya nor "Thai Post" had any objections, so the court withdrew the civil suit. It should be noted that the court has never endorsed the content of Supinya's interview, i.e., it is wrong to presume that her interview was reasonable.

The cases were the subject of the 2007 independent documentary film, "The Truth Be Told: The Cases Against Supinya Klangnarong", filmed over the course of nearly three years and directed by Pimpaka Towira. [ [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/31/entertainment/entertainment_30047226.php Delaying the truth] , "The Nation (Thailand)"; retrieved 2007-12-03]

References

*Bangprapa, Mongkol and Charoenpo, Anucha (March 15, 2006) [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/16Mar2006_news02.php "Supinya lauds 'the public's victory'"] , "Bangkok Post".
* [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/15/headlines/headlines_20002797.php "Media critic acquitted in defamation suit by PM's former telecom firm"] , "The Nation" (March 15, 2006).
*Wolff, Ismail (March 15, 2006). [http://www.manager.co.th/IHT/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9490000035731 "Court acquits Supinya, 'Thai Post'"] , "International Herald Tribune/ThaiDay".
* [http://www.manager.co.th/IHT/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9490000060689 "Shin drops civil suit against Supinya"] , "International Herald Tribune/ThaiDay" (May 9, 2006).
* [http://www.article19.org/pdfs/cases/thai-defamation.pdf "Witness Statement"] provided by ARTICLE 19, Global Campaign for Free Expression. The statement outlines international standards on defamation including general principles on freedom of expression

ee also

*Media in Thailand