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Phuketwan reporters face defamation charges Thailand Phuketwan reporters face defamation charges
(35 minutes later)
Two journalists are on trial in the southern Thai island of Phuket for allegedly defaming the Thai navy.Two journalists are on trial in the southern Thai island of Phuket for allegedly defaming the Thai navy.
Their charges stem from a July 2013 online article which included a paragraph, originally published by Reuters, on human trafficking.Their charges stem from a July 2013 online article which included a paragraph, originally published by Reuters, on human trafficking.
Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian of website Phuketwan face up to seven years in jail. Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian of website Phuketwan, who pleaded not guilty, face up to seven years in jail.
Reuters quoted an unnamed smuggler that Thai naval forces made money from turning a blind eye to trafficking.Reuters quoted an unnamed smuggler that Thai naval forces made money from turning a blind eye to trafficking.
Reuters has since won a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting on the Rohingya which included this particular article. The BBC's Jonah Fisher says that despite its small size, Phuketwan has a well-earned reputation for reporting on the smuggling and abuse of Rohingya, who come from Myanmar. Reuters has since won a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting on the Rohingya which included this particular article. The BBC's Jonah Fisher says that despite its small size, Phuketwan has a well-earned reputation for reporting on the smuggling and abuse of Rohingya, who come from Myanmar (also known as Burma).
In the last year, it has become apparent that some Thai officials - though not specifically the Navy - have been making money from people smuggling, says our correspondent. In the last year it has become apparent that some Thai officials - although not specifically the Navy - have been making money from people smuggling, says our correspondent.
The Thai government has since embarked on a crackdown with dozens arrested, including officials and policemen.The Thai government has since embarked on a crackdown with dozens arrested, including officials and policemen.
'Draconian law''Draconian law'
Mr Morison, a 67-year-old Australian is the editor of the website and Ms Chutima, a 34-year-old Thai citizen is a reporter. They have been charged with defamation, which can be considered a criminal offence in Thailand. Mr Morison, a 67-year-old Australian is the editor of the website and Ms Chutima, a 34-year-old Thai citizen, is a reporter. They have been charged with defamation, which can be considered a criminal offence in Thailand.
They also face charges for breaching the Computer Crimes Act.They also face charges for breaching the Computer Crimes Act.
Rights group Reporters without Borders has condemned the trial calling the act "a draconian 2007 law that gives the authorities a great deal of leeway to gag online critics and arrest journalists and bloggers for political reasons". Rights group Reporters without Borders has condemned the trial calling the act "a draconian 2007 law that gives the authorities a great deal of leeway to gag online critics and arrest journalists and bloggers for political reasons".
"We're seriously concerned, but the principles are pretty clear... the freedom of the media is an essential part of democracy everywhere," Mr Morison told the BBC earlier on Tuesday."We're seriously concerned, but the principles are pretty clear... the freedom of the media is an essential part of democracy everywhere," Mr Morison told the BBC earlier on Tuesday.
The Bangkok Post reported that the navy had earlier offered to withdraw the libel case if the two apologised, but they declined as they believed they did no wrong.The Bangkok Post reported that the navy had earlier offered to withdraw the libel case if the two apologised, but they declined as they believed they did no wrong.
"We have always said that, because the paragraph was written by Reuters' journalists, not us, that Reuters should be asked to apologise. When Reuters apologises, we will consider whether we should too," Mr Morison was quoted as saying."We have always said that, because the paragraph was written by Reuters' journalists, not us, that Reuters should be asked to apologise. When Reuters apologises, we will consider whether we should too," Mr Morison was quoted as saying.