Zhou Yukou and Cai Yuzhen were each sentenced to 1 and a half years in prison and Central News Agency CNA |

Media Personalities Charged with Defamation

On November 26, 2024, media figures Zhou Youkou and Cai Yuzhen were convicted of defamation against Zhang Shujuan, a former Miss China. They accused her of being the central figure in a scandal involving Jiang Xiaoyan, the father of Taipei Mayor Jiang Wannan.

Zhang filed a complaint leading to the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office pursuing legal action against Zhou and Cai for gross defamation and violating the Personal Data Protection Law. The court sentenced both to one year and six months in prison.

As a precaution, the court prohibited Zhou and Cai from leaving the country due to the risk of flight. Authorities enforced this ban at Taoyuan International Airport when Zhou attempted to depart. Airline officials denied him a boarding ticket, at which point he received an official exit ban from the Border Affairs Brigade.

The Immigration Department confirmed that Zhou was stopped while checking in for his flight. After being informed of the travel restrictions, he went to the Border Affairs Brigade counter voluntarily.

This case highlights the serious legal consequences of defamation in media discourse and underscores the responsibilities that come with public commentary.