EU's concern over Thai webmaster guilty verdict

A Thai court on Wednesday convicted an online editor for hosting posts critical of the revered monarchy on her website, but suspended her jail sentence amid demands to reform the lese majeste law.Chiranuch Premchaiporn was found guilty of failing to speedily delete comments by other people deemed insulting to the royal family from her popular news website, Prachatai. The Bangkok court fined her 20,000 baht ($630).

A prominent Thai website editor facing up to 20 years in jail appeared in court Wednesday to defend herself against charges relating to remarks about the monarchy posted by other people on her website.Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the editor of the popular Prachatai news website, denied allegations that she did not remove ten online posts perceived as critical to the monarchy quickly enough in 2008.She told the Bangkok Criminal Court that she "immediately" blocked any comments flagged as "improper" by the Information and Communication Technology ministry.

Chiranuch Premchaiporn's air of cheerful optimism crumpled briefly as she contemplated the threat of 70 years in prison -- for remarks about the Thai monarchy that other people posted on her website."People ask, 'why don't you flee or escape?' But it is not my choice at all. I grew up in Thailand. I am part of this society," the 43-year-old editor of the popular Prachatai news website said."I still hope that I will be defended by the fact that I complied with the law," she told AFP in an interview.

A Thai web editor facing decades behind bars over remarks about the monarchy posted by other people on her website said she still hopes to be acquitted ahead of a closely-watched verdict this week.A Bangkok court is set to decide Monday on charges against Chiranuch Premchaiporn that could carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, in a case that has shone a spotlight on Thailand's strict lese majeste and computer laws.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — A social media editor who has worked for two of the nation’s largest news-gathering organizations pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he conspired with the hacking group Anonymous to deface the Los Angeles Times’ website. Matthew Keys, 26, made his first appearance in federal court since he was charged last month, but he made no comments. Keys is charged with giving the hacking group Anonymous the login credentials to the computer system of The Tribune Co., which owns the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun and other media properties.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — A social media editor who has worked for two of the nation’s largest news-gathering organizations pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he conspired with the hacking group Anonymous to deface the Los Angeles Times’ website. Matthew Keys, 26, made his first appearance in federal court since he was charged last month, but he made no comments. Keys is charged with giving the hacking group Anonymous the login credentials to the computer system of The Tribune Co., which owns the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun and other media properties.

A Thai web editor is due Wednesday to hear whether she will be jailed for hosting defamatory postings about the monarchy on her website, amid a growing clamour for the law to be changed.The case has stirred fierce debate in Thailand, where strict laws against defaming the royal family have prompted accusations that authorities are trampling on free speech.Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the 44-year-old editor of the popular Prachatai news website, faces up to two decades behind bars if convicted under the kingdom's tough computer laws.

Thailand has pardoned a Thai-born American who was sentenced last year to 2 1/2 years in prison for insulting the monarchy, his lawyer said Wednesday.