An online news report yesterday pointed to signs that Johanne Liou was set up by the Chinese-language Next Magazine, which filmed her secretly and then published a story and photographs on Wednesday that insinuated she is a high-priced call girl.
The latest development in the controversy over Liou (劉喬安), the female celebrity dubbed “Queen of the Sunflower movement” (太陽花女王), has legal experts and commentators calling for an investigation into the conduct of some tabloid-style media organizations.
Hong Kong-based news site on.cc yesterday said it has obtained the original 12-minute uncut video of Liou, filmed in a hotel room, discussing matters with a businessman who was identified as a photographer working for Next Magazine.
Screen grab from Johanne Liou’s Facebook account
On.cc said Liou was contacted by a woman called Hsiao Hsien (小嫻), who allegedly acted as an intermediary for the businessman, who wanted to talk about purchasing wine and other deals with Liou.
Hsiao led Liou to the hotel room, where the man, posing as a Hong Kong businessman, secretly filmed Liou and their conversation with a hidden camera, on.cc said.
Next Magazine alleged that Liou was discussing her price for providing sexual services, and implied that she said she had been engaged in the call girl business for some time.
Liou released statements the next day, saying she had been deceived by Hsiao and the so-called businessman, as she was now in the wine business and was told the man was a customer looking to purchase goods.
Liou also posted a photograph of Hsiao Hsien, which a netizen helped to identify as a female journalist, surnamed Lee (李), who works for Next Magazine.
On.cc’s report yesterday had civic groups and legal experts rallying to Liou’s support, as they called on the judiciary to investigate illegal conduct by the magazine.
Liou also posted a statement saying that she plans to sue.
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