(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-24 07:14

Two Chinese, one in New York and another in Beijing, yesterday filed a class action against CNN in a United States federal court.

They claim the remarks by commentator Jack Cafferty in which he called Chinese "goons" violated the dignity and reputation of the Chinese people. They are seeking compensation of $1.3 billion.

Cafferty, and CNN's parent company Turner Broadcasting, are also listed as defendants. The court has accepted the case, according to a report by the New York-based website for overseas Chinese Sinovision.net.

Meanwhile, in Beijing, a group of 14 Chinese lawyers have also filed suit, demanding an apology from CNN and Cafferty and compensation of 100 yuan ($14). The Beijing Chaoyang District Court yesterday declined to say whether it had accepted the case.

The two suits come amid a wave of criticism by Chinese people at home and abroad of the coverage by Western news outlets of the unrest in Tibet and disruptions to the Beijing Olympic torch relay.

China's Foreign Ministry last week summoned CNN's Beijing bureau chief and demanded an apology after Cafferty said Chinese products were "junk". He also made remarks about "goons" and "thugs".

In a statement released later, CNN claimed his "goons and thugs" comment referred to "the Chinese government, not to the Chinese people or to Chinese-Americans".

However, his statement was not well received.

The two plaintiffs in the first case, Liang Shubing and Li Lilan, said in their claims that CNN and Cafferty deliberately insulted the Chinese people and caused them mental injuries. Therefore, as the representatives of the 1.3 billion Chinese people, they ask for compensation of $1.3 billion, the Sinovision report said.

"Because the lawsuit involves such a huge sum, we believe CNN will make some response," Hai Ming, one of the six attorneys in the case, was quoted as saying.

According to legal procedure, the court will summon Cafferty, he said.

Liu Jing, one of the 14 plaintiffs in the Beijing lawsuit, also said the statement by CNN lacked sincerity and will never be accepted as an apology.

Cafferty's remarks violated the Chinese Constitution and the General Principles of the Civil Law, which state that human dignity should not be infringed upon, she said.

"Cafferty's comments also violated Principle VI and Principle VII of UNESCO's International Principles of Professional Ethics in Journalism, as well as the Code of Ethics adopted by the Society of Professional Journalists of the United States," Liu said.

China Daily

(China Daily 04/24/2008 page6)