Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers are considering amendments to articles 309 and 310 of the Criminal Code to grant authorities a legal basis to charge Internet users over harassment, slander, “hateful violence” and threats.
The proposed amendments were prompted by the recently reported suicide of actress-model Peng Yi-hsin (彭逸馨), more commonly known by her stage name, Cindy Yang (楊又穎), who in a suicide note said that she hoped her death could help highlight the power of online bullying.
“How many innocents must die before these Internet mobs desist?” KMT Legislator Lu Hsueh-chang (呂學璋) said at a press conference yesterday, adding that the legislature should try to pass the amendments as soon as possible to clamp down on cyberbullying.
Lu called for an amendment to the two Criminal Code regulations governing slander, adding that if need be, the legislature can also look into specific “anti-bullying legislation” to address both physical bullying in schools and Internet bullying.
Article 309 stipulates a NT$300 (US$9.72) fine for public slander, while Article 310 stipulates that calumny can be punished by a prison sentence of one year or less, detainment or a fine of not more than NT$500, and libel could be punished by a maximum of two years in prison, detainment or a maximum fine of NT$1,000.
Lu added that media bullying is also an issue, citing himself as an example.
Lu said that he became a target of online criticism after media outlets reported that he threw a receipt at a clerk when picking up a suit from a department store in 2010.
“We are also looking into ways to prevent political bullying,” KMT Legislator Liao Kuo-tung (廖國棟) said, mentioning the “NT$300 million man” incident as an example.
Liao was referring to allegations made by Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) during last fall’s mayoral campaign that his KMT rival, Sean Lien (連勝文), had received NT$300 million in political donations from Hon Hai Precision Industry Co chairman Terry Gou (郭台銘).
New information surrounding the incident surfacing in recent weeks has resulted in muddled responses from all sides, Liao said, adding that the legislature must pay attention to the incident of political bullying.
Asked by reporters whether Lien could be considered a victim of Internet bullying, Lu said that the past was in the past and it was a lesson learned.
“However, the primary objective of the proposed amendments is not to address political figures, but rather to prevent more deaths of young people harassed by cyberbullies,” he said.
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