INDEPENDENT MEDIA

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND DEFAMATION

The project aimed at promoting legal supportive media thus assisting in creation of more favorable environment and equip journalists and media professionals with abilities to prevent possible mistakes. The project was financed by Free Press Foundation

Activities:

- Draft Law on Amendments to the Criminal Law of Mongolia (Mongolian)

Law Drafting group was established and consisted from lawyers and representatives of the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists, the Mongolian Free Newspapers Association, the Mongolian Newspapers Association, Odriin sonin(daily) and Press Institute, and 2 consultants. The group reviewed and studied defamation laws of some other counties and international standards and prepared Draft Law the amendments to the existing Criminal and Civil Codes Amendment was introduced to 17 media outlets and media NGOs and 7 of them contributed their opinions.

Round table: “Freedom of expression and defamation”

The round table “Freedom of expression and defamation” was held on October 23, 2003 at the Press Institute. It involved 18 participants; 14 journalists and 4 lawyers. Toby Mendel, Director of Law Programme of the “Article 19” introduced the participants with international principles of the freedom of expression and defamation. Participants discussed the issues and problems they face in their every day works. Participants discussed a Draft Statement to the Government and Parliament and it was approved .

Seminar “ Judicial Protection of Media freedom ”

The seminar was dedicated to the International Human Right Day and it was jointly organized by the National Law Center, General Council of the Court and UNDP Strengthening Human Rights Project. The seminar was held December 10, 2003 at the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs and involved 36 participants: judges, advocates, prosecutos, journalists and civil society representatives. The seminar was aimed at identifying the priorities in safeguarding media freedom by the Courts. Jurgen Wellner, a German lawyer contributed his report on Constitutional interpretation of media freedom "

The seminar was practical and participants worked in groups on cases related to violation of media freedom. Seminar participants also discussed the Recommendations to the Supreme Court and City Court on the defamation cases in the judiciary process and further concerns’.

Media Ethics Handbook: Media freedom in a democratic society (Mongolian)
Handbook was printed in 1000 copies and widely distributed. The handbook was published in a newspaper “Mongol Times” for wider use of readers.