Enforcing Non-Publicity of Investigations to Rescue "Labeled Offenders": Launch Press Conference for the "Non-Publicity of Investigations Project"
Last edited: 2026-08-29
Doxxing! Public trials! Witch hunts! Once criminal information under investigation is exposed to the public, the individuals involved are branded as criminals. Even if they subsequently receive a disposition of non-prosecution or an acquittal, their former lives can never be restored. Though they committed no crimes, they become "labeled offenders" who bear actual punishment.
Lü Ping-hung, arguably Taiwan's unluckiest business owner, was reported by the media as an accomplice to murder. Although he received a disposition of non-prosecution, the label of "murderer" has dogged him ever since. Kuo Mei-lan, formerly a news reporter, never expected to become the subject of news reports herself. Years after her non-prosecution, the label of "communist spy" still makes it impossible for her to find a job. Miss Liang, who was wrongfully implicated in the Nangang female model murder case, recently had her non-prosecution finalized, but her career and life can never be recovered.
A "labeled offender" is a social effect, yet it is one that can be prevented and avoided. To this end, the Judicial Reform Foundation has launched the "Non-Publicity of Investigations Project," planning a series of "de-labeling" actions. Operating from the standpoint of protecting and rescuing victims, we demand that police, prosecutors, and investigative agencies take responsibility to prevent the recurrence of "labeled offenders."
| Cases of Violating Non-Publicity of Investigations | Victim | Label | Judicial Adjudication | State Compensation | Personnel Disciplinary Action |
| Bali Double Murder Case | Lu Ping-hung | Murderer | Disposition of Non-Prosecution | None | ? |
| Bungled Communist Spy Case | Kuo Mei-lan | Communist Spy | Disposition of Non-Prosecution | None | None |
| Nangang Female Model Murder Case | Miss Liang | Murderer | Disposition of Non-Prosecution | None | ? |
| For a brief introduction to the cases, please refer to the appendix: Cases of Violating the Non-Publicity of Investigations | |||||
De-Labeling Action (I): Establishing a "Non-Publicity of Investigations Hotline" to Receive Public Complaints and Reports
Although official mechanisms currently exist to oversee the non-publicity of investigations—such as the National Police Agency monitoring daily electronic and print media reports based on public complaints, the Operations Command Center, or the Criminal Investigation Bureau, and conducting investigations accordingly (see table below)—they appear superficially productive yet are entirely ineffective in practice. Because cracking major cases yields merit awards while regulatory violations incur merely formal warnings, some police officers may not take the non-publicity of investigations seriously at all. As for prosecutors and investigators disciplined for violating the principle of non-publicity of investigations, they are extremely few. Some prosecutors have even privately revealed that certain prosecutors' offices allow media personnel to wander freely in and out of prosecutors' offices.
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | Total | |
| Cases Assigned for Investigation | 89 | 51 | 78 | 97 | 315 |
| Closed Cases | 89 | 51 | 78 | 97 | 315 |
| Substantiated | 57 | 29 | 41 | 48 | 175 |
| Number of Disciplined Personnel | 64 | 29 | 41 | 48 | 182 |
| Source: Written Materials of the National Police Agency on "Police Agencies Implementing the Non-Publicity of Investigations and Protection of Privacy" for the National Congress on Judicial Reform | |||||
De-Labeling Action (II): Forming a "Pro Bono Lawyer Team" to Assist Citizens in Filing State Compensation Claims
When investigative personnel violate the non-publicity of investigations and cause significant harm to citizens, they bear state compensation liability. However, cases where compensation is successfully claimed are very rare, and the compensation amounts are not high (see table below). To this end, the Judicial Reform Foundation will establish a "Pro Bono Lawyer Team" to assist citizens in filing state compensation lawsuits, thereby safeguarding public rights, restoring their reputations, and reminding investigative agencies not to create the next "labeled offender."
| Court Case Number | Label | Compensation Amount |
| Taiwan High Court, 104 Administrative State No. 2 | Member of a violent debt-collection syndicate | NT$100,000, NT$200,000, and NT$100,000 for three individuals respectively |
| Taiwan High Court, 102 Major Administrative State No. 9 | Organized crime | NT$300,000 |
| Taipei District Court, 99 State No. 2 | Robbery | NT$400,000 |
| Tainan Branch, Taiwan High Court, 90 Administrative Summary State No. 3 | Joint murder and corpse abandonment | NT$400,000, NT$250,000, and NT$250,000 for three individuals respectively |
De-Labeling Action (III): Monitoring the Implementation of Resolutions from the National Congress on Judicial Reform and Organizing Advocacy Activities
The Presidential Office's National Congress on Judicial Reform convened this year reached several important resolutions on the issues of "non-publicity of investigations, media influence on trials, and privacy protection." It demanded that the promotion of law enforcement personnel should avoid considering media exposure or the charges referred as evaluation factors. The Judicial Yuan and Executive Yuan should also establish standard operating procedures for the non-publicity of investigations, and investigative agencies should implement a spokesperson system, designate interview control zones, and strictly regulate media and unauthorized personnel entering and exiting office areas freely. Furthermore, those who violate the non-publicity of investigations shall bear administrative, disciplinary, or criminal responsibility, and competent authorities should investigate, handle, and strictly hold them accountable in accordance with statutory procedures. The "Non-Publicity of Investigations Project" will continuously track the progress and effectiveness of official legislative amendments and implementation.
In addition to assisting citizens with individual accountability and compensation claims, the "Non-Publicity of Investigations Project" continues advocacy activities through lectures, seminars, and legal education. By raising awareness of the ills brought about by the failure to keep investigations non-public, we enable law enforcement personnel, news practitioners, and the general public to understand the price innocent "labeled offenders" must pay behind the pursuit of rapid case exposure, thereby establishing a social consensus on enforcing the non-publicity of investigations.
Attending Representatives
Representative of Victims / Mr. Lu Ping-hung
Representative of Victims / Ms. Kuo Mei-lan
Legislator / Legislator Yu Mei-nu
Taipei Bar Association Non-Publicity of Investigations Monitoring Center / Attorney Kao Hung-ming
Taiwan Association for Police Working Rights / Board Director Wang Lung-yu
Legal Easy Movement Station Chief / Attorney Yang Kuei-chih
Convenor of the Judicial Reform Foundation Non-Publicity of Investigations Project Team / Attorney Shih Hung-cheng
Judicial Reform Foundation Non-Publicity of Investigations Project Team / Attorney Chang An-ting
Chairman of the Judicial Reform Foundation / Attorney Lin Yung-sung
Deputy Executive Director of the Judicial Reform Foundation / Attorney Chen Yü-fan
Press Contact
Judicial Reform Foundation / Deputy Executive Director Ch'en Yü-fan (02)2523-1178
Appendices
- Cases of Violating the Non-Publicity of Investigations
- Lü Ping-hung's Fantastic Journey
- Kuo Mei-lan—Narrating the Bizarre Story in Taiwan Concerning My Case
- Legal Easy Movement—Speech Text for the Press Conference on Non-Publicity of Investigations
Cases of Violating the Non-Publicity of Investigations
-
Bali Double Murder Case
In 2013, the sensational nationwide "Bali Double Murder Case" occurred. During the investigation, Lü Ping-hung was falsely accused by a defendant of being an accomplice. Prosecutors subsequently applied for and obtained approval for his detention, and carried out a high-profile search of his Mama Chia Coffee Shop. Despite extensive media coverage—and although it was later ascertained that the crime was committed by the defendant alone, with Lü Ping-hung receiving a finalized disposition of non-prosecution—his physical health declined drastically following the incident, his coffee shop business ran into trouble, and he remains stigmatized with the "murderer" label to this day, severely disrupting his life. Although the National Police Agency Commissioner once promised to investigate the responsibility of personnel who violated the non-publicity of investigations, the outcome remains unknown.
-
Bungled Communist Spy Case
Kuo Mei-lan, a former reporter at the Central News Agency's Cross-Strait News Center, was falsely accused of involvement in a communist spy case. The Investigation Bureau detained her and conducted a massive search of her residence, with the media even running front-page reports on her alleged involvement. It was later ascertained to be a complete blunder, and prosecutors finalized a disposition of non-prosecution. However, after the incident, no newspaper agency was willing to hire her, forcing her to change her name to seek employment. Furthermore, because she frequently had to attend court hearings, she was unable to find full-time work, plunging her into financial distress.
-
Nangang Female Model Murder Case
In 2017, the Nangang female model murder case occurred. Miss Liang was falsely accused by the defendant of being an accomplice to murder. Prosecutors applied for and obtained approval for her detention without communication, and the media reported on the details of the investigation and physical evidence in meticulous detail. Her Facebook page was flooded with abusive remarks from netizens. Subsequently, prosecutors ascertained that Miss Liang was not involved, released her on the spot, and finalized a disposition of non-prosecution. Nevertheless, the public remains unwilling to believe her innocence, and Miss Liang's life and showbiz career have been severely impacted. Although the Shilin District Prosecutor's Office opened a "Ta" case to investigate whether there were any leaking offenses violating the non-publicity of investigations, the outcome remains unknown.
This article is an AI-generated translation of the original Chinese text. In the event of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.
