Media Executive Sentenced to 3 Months for Defaming Prosecutor in '88 Clubhouse' Post, Ruling Final

Central News Agency Report (By reporter Liu Shih-yi, Taipei, June 17)

Huang Chin-chiu, a former prosecutor associated with the '88 Clubhouse,' filed a lawsuit against a Mr. Chien, a news department manager, after he implied in a LINE group chat that she had received financial support from local gang leaders. Today, Taiwan's High Court sentenced the manager to three months in prison for defamation, with the option of a fine in lieu of incarceration. The ruling is now final.

According to the High Court's judgment, during her tenure as head of the Integrity Division at the National Police Agency, Huang received a tip-off alleging that Kuo Che-min was the main suspect in a fund-raising fraud case. On February 18, 2022, she submitted relevant case files to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office and requested the assignment of a prosecutor to lead the investigation.

After media reports revealed that Kuo had left the country before search operations began, the defendant, Mr. Chien, a television news department manager, intentionally disseminated defamatory information. Prior to November 9, 2022, from an unknown location, he posted in a LINE group named 'Police Soul ◎ A Toast Society...'—which had 14 members—alleging that Huang had received substantial improper benefits from local gang figures to renovate her home in Zhongli.

Huang filed a complaint against Chien for aggravated defamation. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office confirmed that Chien had indeed posted the message in the group without conducting reasonable verification, thereby spreading false information among a specific yet sizable audience, and prosecuted him for aggravated defamation.

The Taipei District Court initially sentenced Chien to three months in prison, with the option of paying a fine instead. Chien appealed, and the case was reviewed by Taiwan's High Court.

The High Court panel concluded that the evidence clearly showed Chien had no intention of prompting group members to verify the information, nor did he disclose any attempt at prior fact-checking. The court found he acted with intent to damage Huang's reputation by spreading false information, and that the post was sufficient to degrade her personal dignity and social standing. The facts were firmly established.

The High Court affirmed that the lower court's evidentiary rulings, factual findings, and legal interpretations were correct and appropriate, and that the sentence was reasonable. Chien's appeal, in which he denied wrongdoing, and his defense attorney's argument that the sentence was excessive, were both dismissed. The ruling is now final. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun)