Yu Kou Chou Ordered to Pay FTV NT$1.5 Million in Defamation Case with Shao-kang Chao

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 10, Reporter Lin Chang-shun) Shao-kang Chao filed a lawsuit against Yu Kou Chou for defamation after she accused him of "abandoning his wife and children" on social media and television. The court ruled that Chou must pay NT$200,000 and jointly with FTV (Formosa Television) pay NT$2 million in damages to Chao. This judgment became final. Subsequently, FTV filed a civil lawsuit against Chou, demanding she reimburse them NT$1.5 million, which is her share of the joint liability. The Taipei District Court ruled on June 10 that Chou must pay FTV NT$1.5 million. The verdict is subject to appeal.

On September 17, 2022, media personality Yu Kou Chou posted on Facebook accusing Shao-kang Chao, then chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC), of "abandoning his wife and children... and not acknowledging his own flesh and blood." Two days later, on September 19, 2022, on FTV's political talk show, she stated, "Then I'll tell you (Chao), you beat your wife, committed domestic violence, abandoned your son, didn't acknowledge your own flesh and blood, and abandoned your wife and children."

Chao filed a civil lawsuit in the Taipei District Court, seeking NT$10 million in joint compensation from Chou and FTV, demanding the removal of the defamatory statements and program videos, and an injunction against further publication or distribution.

The Taipei District Court found that parts of Chou's statements were not factual and lacked reasonable verification, infringing on Chao's reputation rights, thus establishing tort liability. The court also found FTV liable for joint tort for producing and broadcasting the program containing the statements. The court ordered Chou and FTV to jointly pay NT$2 million, with Chou personally paying NT$20 million, and ordered both FTV and Chou to remove the related statements. The High Court and Supreme Court upheld the original judgment, making it final.

After FTV paid the compensation to Chao, it filed a civil lawsuit against Chou to recover the debt of NT$1.5 million. The Taipei District Court ruled on June 10 that Chou must pay FTV NT$1.5 million. The verdict is subject to appeal. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150610