Court Rules in favor of Dee Hsu Over Lawsuit Against AppleDaily

Some might still remember Dee Hsu (Xiao S) and her husband Mike Hsu landed on the front page of Appledaily back in March. The newspaper reported that she had allegedly called the 113 helpline to report domestic violence. It claimed her case was forwarded to the Taipei Domestic Violence Prevention and Cure center. Following a visit from a social worker, the Hsu household was then deemed “high risk” by the center. Dee Hsu strongly denied the accusations and said she would sue Appledaily. The couple even met with reporters at the front of a police station (where Apple claimed she had filed a report) in an attempt to clear them name.

Over six months later, the Shihlin District Court determined that Appledaily failed to provide sufficient proof for the content it reported.  The paper was slapped with a 4 million NTD fine (~129,000 USD) and ordered to publish a full-page apology on its front page for one day. Dee Hsu and her husband responded on the ruling, “(We’re) very thankful that the judge did us justice, proving the report was false. 4 million can help a lot of people in need.” The two added, “It will be the first time in history (for Appledaily to print an apology on A1), (we’re) very thankful of the judge’s fair judgment.”

Appledaily won’t go down without a fight (of course!) Their editor in chief responded, “We have checked with the Taipei Domestic Violence Prevention and Cure center, Xiao S, Xiao S’s mom and other people prior to the report. We have verified as much as we possibly can, as well as (giving the issue) a balanced report. It fully presented statements from Xiao S and her family, and there was no malicious intention of defamation. (We) will appeal accordingly.”

Source: Appledaily, UDN / By: PA @ CpopAccess

Posted in: Taiwan,Xiao S