Member of Parliament launches defamation lawsuit against two daily newspapers
2016/01/15
Source: Globe International Center (GIC)
Odriin Sonin (Daily News) published an article titled: “Fact of laundering ‘New railway’ project’s 42 mln. USD in South Korea to be recorded” in issue No.279 on November 19, 2015. Undesnii Shuudan (National Post), a daily newspaper, also published two articles titled: “960 billion hidden behind an Amnesty Law” and “Private companies to be cheated by partnership” in issues No.156 and No.157 on August 19 and 20, 2015.
Parliament Member Khaltmaa Battulga launched a civil lawsuit against two newspapers claiming that his reputation and honor as an individual and his business reputation as a high ranking public official were defamed by these articles.
Furthermore, he demanded Odriin Sonin newspaper to pay one billion Mongolian tugrik (approx. 500,000 USD) and Undesnii Shuudan to pay 960 million Mongolian tugrik (approx. 480,000 USD) in compensation.
GIC protested by stating: “Even though Kh. Battulga has the right to protect his honor and reputation, his monetary demand is an act of economic censorship and these large sums of money could result in the closure of the media outlets.”
Moreover, budget and project funds are public interest issues and the media has a duty to investigate, inform, and criticize these issues and to bring them to the public’s attention.
GIC is dismayed by politicians and high ranking officials increased use of Civil and Criminal Laws to silence critics and threaten the press and media.
GIC calls on them to be tolerant to critics and to value freedom of expression over their personal honor and reputation.
GIC hopes that Kh. Battulga will be tolerant to any critics and withdraw his complaints against the media outlets.
Globe International Center
Chingeltei district, Khoroo 4,
Diplomat 95 Complex, Entrance 1, #9,
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Phone/fax: +976 11 324764
Phone: +976 11 324627
E-mail: hnaran@globeinter.org.mn
globemon@gmail.com
globenews@globeinter.org.mn
http://www.globeinter.org.mn
Odriin Sonin (Daily News) published an article titled: “Fact of laundering ‘New railway’ project’s 42 mln. USD in South Korea to be recorded” in issue No.279 on November 19, 2015. Undesnii Shuudan (National Post), a daily newspaper, also published two articles titled: “960 billion hidden behind an Amnesty Law” and “Private companies to be cheated by partnership” in issues No.156 and No.157 on August 19 and 20, 2015.
Parliament Member Khaltmaa Battulga launched a civil lawsuit against two newspapers claiming that his reputation and honor as an individual and his business reputation as a high ranking public official were defamed by these articles.
Furthermore, he demanded Odriin Sonin newspaper to pay one billion Mongolian tugrik (approx. 500,000 USD) and Undesnii Shuudan to pay 960 million Mongolian tugrik (approx. 480,000 USD) in compensation.
GIC protested by stating: “Even though Kh. Battulga has the right to protect his honor and reputation, his monetary demand is an act of economic censorship and these large sums of money could result in the closure of the media outlets.”
Moreover, budget and project funds are public interest issues and the media has a duty to investigate, inform, and criticize these issues and to bring them to the public’s attention.
GIC is dismayed by politicians and high ranking officials increased use of Civil and Criminal Laws to silence critics and threaten the press and media.
GIC calls on them to be tolerant to critics and to value freedom of expression over their personal honor and reputation.
GIC hopes that Kh. Battulga will be tolerant to any critics and withdraw his complaints against the media outlets.
Globe International Center
Chingeltei district, Khoroo 4,
Diplomat 95 Complex, Entrance 1, #9,
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Phone/fax: +976 11 324764
Phone: +976 11 324627
E-mail: hnaran@globeinter.org.mn
globemon@gmail.com
globenews@globeinter.org.mn
http://www.globeinter.org.mn