Alert — Mongolia
July 8, 2014
SOURCE: Globe International NGO
Globe International Center strongly denounces the blocking of the news website amjilt.com by the Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC). On July 3, 2014 the website’s journalist posted an article based on photo documentation with the headline, “Khaan Jims resort to be owned by Prime Minister pours its pollution into the Tuul River.” The day after the article was posted, the website’s managerial personnel received a phone call from the CRC official. He demanded the removal of the article from the website stating, “I`m calling because of a complaint from Khaan Jims resort.” Then he proceeded to threaten the company: “It is a defamatory article. You should post a retraction. Otherwise your website will be blocked.” The website’s managerial personnel asked on which grounds such demands were being made, but he did not receive a clear answer. Three hours after the phone call the CRC listed the website in its blacklist and blocked it.
CRC did not claim responsibility for the above action and website staff did not receive any official letter or requirements, claimed the website personnel.
CRC included in the list of conflicting domains. In its explanatory note above the list of blocked websites, it states: “The following websites were blocked by decision and conclusion of the State Inspector from the Intellectual Property Office as they violated the Law on Copyright and Related Rights and International Treaties and Conventions ratified by Mongolia.”
According to CRC’s 2011 Resolution “General Regulatory Conditions and Requirements of the Digital Content Service “The Regulatory Committee shall inform the content aggregator and web site service provider that they need to take the following measures on the official decision and opinion about the violation of legislation received from relevant legal authorities… In the event the violation is not redressed before the deadline, the Regulatory Committee shall give notice of temporary suspension of service of content aggregator and web site service provider to service provider”.
However the above mentioned conditions and requirements are the grounds of suspension of website service, no official decision and conclusion of relevant legal authorities were made concerning Amjilt.com. Moreover, the article which was based on a journalist’s photo documentation and investigation could not be a violation of the intellectual property.
Globe International Center considers, CRC, a government body and high officials interfere to the activities of media outlet, utterly violate freedom of expression and the public’s right to accurate information and breach media freedom by blocking the website.
Globe International Center is concerned over increased threats, harassment and pressure from authorities and high officials on journalists and media outlets due to criticism.
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
Emails: hnaran@globeinter.org.mn
globenews@globeinter.org.mn