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Alerts - Mongolia

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Mongolia

Member of Parliament files civil lawsuit against two newspapers

Kh. Battulga of the Democratic Party claims his honour was offended by articles published in the Mongoliin Unen and Ugluunii sonin daily papers.

Mongolia

Leader of Republican Party interferes with activities of daily newspaper

The night before an interview with the party leader was to be published in the paper, the politician and his representatives exerted pressure on a journalist and seized and bought the paper's edition from some postal offices.

Mongolia

State investigator files criminal lawsuit against TV9 channel

The TV station and an investigative team are being targeted in connection with a documentary that disclosed allegations of corruption.

Mongolia

Church files lawsuit against television station, journalist

The World Mission Society Church of God filed a lawsuit against journalist J. Minjin and TV-8 after the journalist broadcast a news item about complains by former church members.

Mongolia

Provincial TV journalist and cameraman assaulted, camera destroyed

Journalist T. Danaasuren and cameraman J. Tuvshintulga were assaulted while covering incidents between small local mining entrepreneurs and guards from the “Special Mines” company.

Mongolia

Publicist and his wife ordered to pay compensation to minister for defamation

The couple was found guilty of "insulting the reputation" of the Minister of Nature, Environment and Tourism, Mr. L. Gansukh, by the Sukhbaatar District Court.

Mongolia

Judge dismisses lawsuit against journalist

The district court judge in the case noted that Bolormaa Damdinsuren did not purposefully defame the company director and therefore the case could no longer be considered a criminal lawsuit.

Mongolia

Journalist released on bail

IPI welcomes the release of Dolgor Chuluunbaatar but remains concerned at the apparent lack of transparency in the criminal proceedings.

Mongolia

ARTICLE 19 welcomes adoption of freedom of information law

The adoption of the Law on Information Transparency and Freedom of Information is an important milestone for enhancing public participation and government transparency, ARTICLE 19 said.

Mongolia

Editor held on spurious charges

Chuluunbaatar Dolgor has been indicted for "illegal privatization and serious damage to public property"; if found guilty, he faces 15 years' imprisonment.

Mongolia

Government minister brings criminal defamation charges against journalist

Journalist A. Baatarkhuyag is accused of defaming Minister of Nature, Environment and Tourism L. Gansukh by accusing him of corruption.

Mongolia

General prosecutor files criminal defamation case against journalist

The defamation case was filed after journalist B. Tsoojchuluuntsetseg published a series of articles focused on "Billionaires who swindle banks".

Mongolia

Globe International dismayed over discrimination against journalists

The organisation says an amendment to the law on parliamentary session procedure will "shut the door on journalists" who want to attend Standing Committee meetings.

Mongolia

Newspaper and journalist face legal action over publication of human trafficking allegations

The "Zuunii Medee" newspaper and journalist Bolormaa Damdinsuren are facing a lawsuit and criminal charges respectively for accusing a businessman of buying teenaged girls.

China / Mongolia

Tension in Inner Mongolia surrounding activist's imminent release, supporters harassed

RSF urges the authorities not to delay the release of journalist and human rights activist Hada, who will complete a 15-year jail sentence in December.

Mongolia

Authorities confiscate computer containing newspaper's confidential information

The action was linked to a defamation case filed by government officials who were angered by the publication of a letter in "Niigmiin toli" newspaper.

Mongolia

Journalist, newspaper face legal action for reporting on alleged embezzlement case

A lieutenant colonel sued journalist Kh. Namuun-Uyanga after she published an article entitled, "Police Colonel Embezzles MNT 20 million".

Mongolia

Libel case against newspaper dismissed

The plaintiffs in the case withdrew their complaint against "Zavkhan" newspaper after a Supreme Court ruling sent the case back to the lower courts.

Mongolia

Globe International protests attacks on journalists and media outlets; television stations asked to hand over video materials to police

(Globe International/IFEX) - Six journalists were assaulted on 1 July 2008 while they were reporting on demonstrations held to protest the 2008 Parliamentary election results. A riot erupted as protests were held in front of the headquarters of the post-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP).

Mongolia

Globe International protests restrictions on media freedom in aftermath of riots

(Globe International/IFEX) - The following is a 2 July 2008 Globe International statement:

Mongolia

Journalists seriously injured, headquarters of three newspapers burned down during post-election protests; non-state TV stations ordered to stop broadcasting

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the Mongol authorities and political parties to protect journalists and guarantee media freedom after a series of incidents involving the press during violent demonstrations following the 29 June 2008 legislative elections.

Mongolia

Civil servant blocks journalist's attempt to broadcast news

(Globe International/IFEX) - On 16 January 2008, a meeting was held at the State Center for Civil Registration in Bayan-Ulgii to discuss printing equipment that had been out of commission for a month. During the meeting, responsibility for the problem was placed on I. Lazat, the officer in charge of passport issues, and finance officer B. Saule.

Mongolia

"Clarifications" on criminal defamation law by Supreme Court leave journalists at risk

(Globe International/IFEX) - The Supreme Court of Mongolia has issued new interpretations of provisions of the criminal defamation law, in order to provide a uniform understanding and thus ensure the correct application of the legislation.

Mongolia

Security guard confiscates journalist's videotape

(Globe International/IFEX) - During an investigation of Darkhan Aimag's water-filtering plant, Orkhon TV journalist Munkhtur Damdinbazar's car was stopped by a guard from the security company Darkhan SB, who ordered him to hand over his videotape.

Mongolia

Globe launches project to draft laws protecting journalists' sources, decriminalising defamation

(Globe International/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2007 Globe International press release:

Mongolia

Parliamentary security guard deletes photographs from journalist's camera

(Globe International/IFEX) - A parliamentary security guard has violated the freedom of the media by trying to censor a reporter's work.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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 National Board (the broadcaster's governing body). The board is alleged to have repeatedly violated the law on public service broadcasting, undermined the independence of the MNPRTV editor's office and violated journalists' professional rights.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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:

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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 Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolia

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 only in the Kazakh (ethnic group) language. Following the incident, on 23 January, the chief of the Intelligence Office summoned the radio director to his office to clear up the case.

Mongolia

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 demands. Meanwhile, on 11 January, Member of Parliament Ts. Bataa insulted journalists at a parliamentary session and proposed prohibiting journalists from entering the State House.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

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.

Mongolia

CORRECTION: Television editor beaten after airing controversial programme

(Globe International/IFEX) - Please note, it was previously stated that the "Forbidden to watch" programme had covered the privatisation process of the Erdenet mining industry. Globe International clarifies that the state has not privatised the Erdenet industry, nor is it intending to. Globe International and the IFEX Clearing House apologise for the error.

Mongolia

Television editor beaten after airing controversial programme

(Globe International/IFEX) - On 6 July 2006, B. Tsevegmid, the editor-in-chief of Nomin television station, based in the northern province of Orkhon, was beaten at the entrance of her building and had to be hospitalised for treatment. Before being attacked she had received many threats by telephone concerning an investigative television programme, "Forbidden to watch," which covered the privatisation process of the Erdenet mining industry, especially the employees' privatisation vouchers.

Mongolia

Journalist threatened following publication of articles on financial sector bankruptcies

(Globe International/IFEX) - "Udriin sonin" ("Daily News") national newspaper journalist S. Enkjtuul has been threatened for her series of articles on the bankruptcies of some private savings and credit associations. On 13 June 2006, after her article entitled, "Are the bankrupted financial associations guiding police to a mafia network?" was published, she was called for a meeting at her office with Mr. B. Tamir, who had been mentioned in her article. Tamir, together with two young men, invited her to sit in their car and asked her to publish an immediate correction. The journalist refused to sit in a stranger's car. Furthermore, she told them that the article published was the result of her considerable investigative work.

Mongolia

Journalists denied access to information at crime prevention council meeting

(Globe International/IFEX) - On 12 June 2006, S. Munkhdalai, a reporter for the community radio station Noyon Uul, and Uvurkhangai TV journalist G. Puntsagsuren were denied information by G. Dashtudev, chief secretary of the Crime Prevention Council of the Mongolian Justice and Domestic Ministry. While S. Munkhdalai was taping a meeting about inspections at the council's Uvurkhangai aimag (province) branch, the secretary twice turned off the recorder and ordered the journalists to leave the meeting.

Mongolia

Radio station's access to information restricted by company following critical reporting on its environmental impact

(Globe International/IFEX) - T. Bayartsogt, a reporter for the community radio station Orkhon, faced restrictions in obtaining information about the activities of the Tsavchirt local lime processing company in the north Mongolian aimag [province] of Darkhan-Uul on 24 May 2006 when he entered a company production site.

Mongolia

Television crew mistreated, denied access, their camera damaged by police when covering dismantling of protest camp

(Globe International/IFEX) - On the night of 8 May 2006, a television crew, comprised of reporters M. Batdorj and T. Orgil and cameramen B. Uuganbayar and L. Bayanbat, all from the independent television channel Eagle TV, were assaulted by policemen in Sukhbaatar Square, in the centre of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, while covering actions by Mongolian police who were tearing down the gers (traditional Mongolian dwellings) of protesters encamped in the square.

Mongolia

CAPSULE REPORT: Journalists investigated over article critical of politicians

(Globe International/IFEX) - Globe International is deeply concerned about civil and criminal defamation charges brought against researchers and journalists by Mongolian politicians, including the current President N. Enkhbayar, and urges these politicians to respect press freedom and freedom of expression as guaranteed under the Mongolian Constitution. Globe International considers that by prosecuting journalists, these politicians are attempting to intimidate the media into not reporting criticism.

Mongolia

Journalist investigated for criminal defamation and libel

(Globe International/IFEX) - G. Dashrentsen, political commentator for the national newspaper "Udriin Sonin" ("Daily News") has been under investigation for criminal defamation and libel by the Mongolian Police Enquiry Department since 28 January 2006, following a complaint made by Buddhist Lama Purevbat.

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