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Alert

Apple iPod subcontractor reduces damages claim against journalists to token amount

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has hailed a decision by an Apple Computer subcontractor in China, the Taiwanese company Foxconn, to reduce the amount of damages it is requesting in its libel suit against two "China Business News" journalists from 30 million yuan (approx. 3 million euros) to the token sum of 1 yuan (approx. 10 euro cents).

At the same time, the Intermediate People's Court of the southern city of Shenzen has unfrozen the assets of the two journalists, Wang You and Weng Bao, who are being sued by Foxconn over a 15 June 2006 story criticising conditions at a plant at Longhua, near Shenzen, that assembles iPods.

Reporters Without Borders said it welcomed the role played by Apple Computer in this case. After the press freedom organisation wrote to the US company's CEO, Steve Jobs, on 29 August asking him to intercede on behalf of the two journalists, the company said it was "working behind the scenes to help resolve this issue."