Journalists acquitted over Rohingya reporting in Thailand

Australian journalist Alan Morison and his Thai colleague Chutima Sidasathian have been acquitted on all counts over their reporting on the Rohingya in Thailand.

They had faced charges of defaming the Royal Thai Navy and computer crimes over their reporting on the plight of the Rohingya fleeing Myanmar, but today a court in Phuket acquitted them of all charges.

"I feel fantastic, the bad dream has ended," Alan said after the verdict. "We're just so pleased that it's over. It's good news for Thailand and for media freedom as well. Our fight was for a good cause and justice has prevailed."

Last week, Dateline followed Alan and Chutima before and during their trial, revealing the toll on both of them as they contemplated the prospect of seven years in jail.

They originally exposed the plight of the Rohingya on their news website, Phuketwan, and it was soon picked up by major media organisations.

Years later, a Pulitzer-prize winning article from Reuters delivered the disturbing news that some in the Thai military forces were profiting from people smugglers.

Alan and Chutima included a 41 word paragraph from the Reuters investigation in one of their stories in 2013 and it was that paragraph that they were charged over.

But today, the judge said that they were merely reproducing information from a reliable news source.

Reuters has not been charged. Following the verdict, it released a statement saying: “We are pleased at the Court’s verdict in the case today as Reuters wholeheartedly supports the principles of a free press, and the imperative of journalists across the world to publish independent and reliable news.

Reuters strongly objects to the use of criminal laws anywhere in the world to attempt to punish journalists for the important and valuable work that they do.”

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