Chalerm denies press intimidation
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Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung on Thursday ruled out concerns that he was trying to gag the press in connection with reports on his alleged drunkenness at the last Friday's parliamentary session.
“I have targetted seven newspapers in order to enlist them as witnesses in libel cases involving three Democrats,” he said.
Chalerm said the Thai Journalists Association should not construe his legal move as an attempt to intimidate the press. He said he was trying to protect his reputation and had no intention of violating press freedom.
The reason for naming the seven newspapers in the legal proceedings was to seek confirmation that the three Democrats had actually defamed him via their press interviews, he said.
“Without the testimonies from media professionals confirming the interviews, the three could just deny making the remarks," he said.
Last week, Chalerm dispatched his lawyers to file a complaint at Samae Dam police charging defamation by seven newspapers and three Democrats, Boonyod Sooktinthai, Rangsima Rodrasamee and Thepthai Senpong.
The Democrats made remarks on and off the House floor accusing Chalerm of being drunk during the charter debate. Chalerm initially singled out four newspapers for spreading libellous remarks. He subsequently targetted three additional newspapers.
The seven newspapers are Thai Rath, Thai Post, Naew Na, Siam Rath, Krungthep Turakij, Kom Chad Luek and ASTV Phujadkarn.
