Individual convicted of criminal defamation over article, television broadcast critical of public officials
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 31 August 2007, Mongolian citizen N. Demberel was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment after a judge found him guilty of criminal defamation. On 11 October, this sentence was commuted to a fine. Demberel had published an article entitled “I was finally valued by Ch. Ulaan” and broadcast a television program entitled […]
Hunger strike called off after deal reached in conflict over management of public broadcaster
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 6 July 2007, six members of Mongolian National Public Radio and TV’s (MNPRTV) Collective Board obtained the legal permission for a hunger strike and went to hospital for a health test. According to the Collective Board’s statement, the hunger strike was to be staged to call for the dismissal of MNPRTV’s […]
Photojournalist assaulted by restaurant manager, his camera broken, after taking pictures in kitchen
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 24 June 2007, the manager of Chinggis 3 restaurant in Sukhbaatar District accused S. Tuul, a photojournalist with the newspaper “Social Mirror”, of taking photos in the restaurant without permission, kicked him in the head and broke his camera. Following clients’ complaints that Chinggis 3 restaurant serves food containing insects, Tuul […]
Criminal charges pressed against journalist and editor over articles criticising Member of Parliament
(Globe International/IFEX) – Criminal charges were pressed against B. Tsognemekh, a reporter for the daily newspaper “Zuuni Medee”, on 9 April 2007 and B. Ganbold, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, on 11 May 2007 pursuant to a complaint by Member of Parliament Ch. Ulaan. B. Tsognemekh has been charged under Criminal Code Article 110.1 (insult – imprisonment […]
Judges summon, threaten editor with legal action over critical article
(Globe International/IFEX) – A newspaper editor in Huvsgul aimag (province) is being threatened with a lawsuit by two judges over a critical article that allegedly tarnished the court’s image. Huvsgul general judge Mr. Khosbayar and inter-soum (village) judge Ms. M. Narmandakh summoned to court Ms. Yu. Gereltuya, editor-in-chief of the “Erkh Chuluu” (Freedom) newspaper, for […]
Journalists hindered by criminal defamation laws, financial pressures; draft access to information law submitted to Parliament
(Globe International/IFEX) – The following is a Globe International press release: JOURNALISTS PLEASED WITH DRAFT LAW OF MONGOLIA ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BEING SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT Globe International and the Open Society Forum in Mongolia organized a roundtable, “Against censorship!”, on 2 May 2007, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. This day also […]
Newspaper editor’s conviction for defamation of former Miss Mongolia upheld by appeals court
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 3 February 2007, an appeals court reaffirmed the ruling delivered by a court in the village of Kherlen Soum, located in Dornod Aimag (province), convicting “Dornod” newspaper’s editor-in-chief, B. Tuya, of defamation, pursuant to a complaint filed by Miss Mongolia 1994, G. Tuul. In “Dornod” newspaper’s 10 November 2006 issue, an […]
Television journalist receives death threats following broadcasts on current political situation in Dornod province
(Globe International/IFEX) – At 11:30 p.m. (local time) on 5 April 2007, S. Delger, director of the television channel Shine Suvag in Dornod province, found a letter on her apartment door that read “I will kill you”. The following day, insulting, vulgar messages addressed to her were painted on the wall of her apartment building. […]
Journalists refused access to foreign-owned orphanages; one manhandled by security guard, threatened by staff
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 4 and 5 March, 2007, foreign-owned orphanages Mother Terza and Uguumur, operating in the capital city Ulaanbaatar, violated the right of access to information of Mongolian National Broadcaster (MNB) journalist Mr. J. Altangerel and commercial television TV5 journalist Ms. D. Dorjmaa. TV5 television and MNB, in cooperation with the Mongolian Parliament […]
Police prevent media from photographing helicopter crash site; MP speaks ill of journalists
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 27 February 2007, Member of Parliament Ts. Bataa insulted journalists at the press conference regarding the crash of an Mi-8 helicopter. On the day before the press conference, police staff prohibited journalists from photographing the helicopter that crashed in Bornuur Soum, Tuv Aimag, almost 100 kilometres northwest of the capital city […]
Intelligence official interferes with public radio station, questions director
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 18 January 2007, Mr. N. Enkhsaihan, chief of the Intelligence Office of Bayan-Ulgii aimag, requested that the obituary of one of the local residents be read out on the local public radio in the Mongolian language. However, Mr. R. Suragan, the director of the station, insisted that the condolences be conveyed […]
Newspaper threatened with lawsuit for allegedly defaming president; MP and minister verbally attack journalists
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 24 January 2007, the presidential press office issued a statement concerning articles in the newspaper “Udriin Sonin” that allegedly defamed the president. The press office warned the newspaper not to infringe upon the president’s immunity and reputation, demanded apologies and threatened to file a lawsuit in case of non-compliance with its […]
Journalists forcibly detained, one beaten and injured, camera broken by police during demonstration crackdown
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 27 October 2006, journalists G. Erdenebat and B. Khajidmaa and photographer Ya. Aranjinbaatar of the daily “Udriin sonin”, as well as photojournalist Sh. Gerelsaikhan of “Ardiin erkh”, were assaulted by police officers and detained for approximately two hours while covering a civil society demonstration. During the mass arrest, police officers assaulted […]
Journalist assaulted by market vendor while investigating contraband
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 28 September 2006, T. Bayasgalan, reporter for the newspaper “7-Day Darkhan”, was assaulted by a market vendor while he was investigating the alleged illegal traffic in pine nuts in the central market of Darkhan-Uul province, located 200 kilometers from the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Mr B. Sandagdorj, vendor for the company Tun, forced […]
Newspaper journalists repeatedly threatened over critical articles
(Globe International/IFEX) – In the northern province of Huvsgul, a journalist and her coworkers have repeatedly received threats from businessmen concerning critical articles. U. Gereltuya, editor of the Huvsgul-based newspaper “Khuvsguliin erkh chuluu” (“Freedom of Khuvsgul”), which has approximately 500 subscribers, said, “We repeatedly receive threats and are insulted by businessmen.” For instance, in 2005 […]
Former and current provincial governors harass television journalists, deny them access to information
(Globe International/IFEX) – On 27 July 2006, Mr. M. Yadmaa, governor of Omnogovi province, ordered department heads not to give information to AltanGobi television while the TV cameraman, Mr M. Shinekhuu, was reporting on a meeting of the heads of the governor’s departmental offices. On 26 July, AltanGobi television aired a programme covering the excessive […]