Court Orders CNY 8,000 Damages for Defamation in TV Interview Case
A court in Southern China City has ruled in favor of Mr. Li, finding that Ms. He defamed him by making false statements to a local television program and to his employer. The court ordered Ms. He to publish a public apology and pay CNY 8,000 in moral damages.
The dispute arose from an economic conflict between the parties. In September 2009, Ms. He gave an interview to a television program in Southern China City. During the interview, she claimed that Mr. Li operated a gambling den at the foot of a local mountain, that she was his girlfriend and that he engaged in improper sexual relationships with other women in her presence, and that he was involved with organized crime. Ms. He also visited Mr. Li’s workplace and repeated these false allegations to his superiors. Subsequently, the television program broadcast the interview, and the video was reposted on a blog platform. Mr. Li’s employer questioned him about the allegations, causing significant disruption to his work and personal life.
At trial, Mr. Li submitted three pieces of evidence: printed materials from a blog search and download, a copy of an apology letter from Ms. He, and a video disc of the television interview. The court declined to accept the printed blog materials because they did not comply with proper evidentiary form, and it also rejected the apology letter copy because the original was not produced. However, the court admitted the video disc as evidence because Ms. He acknowledged its content in her written defense. Ms. He did not appear at the hearing but submitted a written statement in which she admitted that all the statements she made to the television station and to Mr. Li’s employer were fabricated, and she expressed remorse for the harm caused.
The court held that Ms. He’s conduct constituted infringement of Mr. Li’s right to reputation. According to relevant law, citizens enjoy legal protection of their reputation. The evidence showed that Ms. He made false statements about Mr. Li during a media interview and also repeated those falsehoods to his employer. These actions lowered Mr. Li’s social standing in the eyes of his colleagues, supervisors, and the public. The court therefore found that Ms. He had defamed Mr. Li and ordered her to issue a public apology in a local media outlet in Southern China City to restore his reputation. The court also awarded CNY 8,000 in moral damages, rejecting Mr. Li’s higher claim of CNY 50,000 as excessive given the specific circumstances.
The court’s legal analysis focused on the nature and impact of the defamatory statements. Under the General Principles of Civil Law, a person who harms another’s reputation must bear civil liability, including apology and compensation for non-pecuniary loss. The court reasoned that the false allegations were serious and were disseminated through a mass media platform, which amplified their harmful effect. Additionally, Ms. He’s direct contact with Mr. Li’s employer caused specific professional harm. The court considered the scope of publication, the content of the statements, and the degree of fault. Because Ms. He failed to appear at trial, the court proceeded in her absence and relied on the video evidence and her own written admissions.
This case serves as a reminder that making false accusations through the media or to an employer can lead to legal liability for defamation. Courts will assess the seriousness of the false statements and their impact on the victim’s reputation and career when determining damages. The award of CNY 8,000 reflects the court’s discretion to proportionally compensate for emotional distress while not overcompensating. The judgment also highlights the importance of presenting proper evidence in litigation, as the court rejected materials that did not meet formal requirements.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.