By Staff Reporter
A Chinese court rules that sarcastic social media posts caused reputational harm, despite allegations of infidelity
A court in central China has sparked widespread debate after ordering a woman to issue a public apology for 15 consecutive days over a series of sarcastic social media posts targeting her husband, ruling that the posts damaged his reputation.
According to reports by the South China Morning Post, the case arose after the woman, identified as Niu Na from Henan province, shared online content accusing her husband of having an extramarital affair. The posts reportedly included details about his workplace and aspects of his personal life, which the court said went beyond acceptable personal expression.
The court ordered Niu Na to delete the posts and publish a daily online apology, with the wording subject to judicial review. The ruling emphasised that even if personal misconduct is alleged, it does not justify public exposure that causes reputational harm through social media.
The case quickly gained traction across Chinese social platforms, with the unusual requirement of a 15-day public apology becoming a major point of discussion. The woman’s videos reportedly attracted significant attention, further fuelling online debate.
Additional reporting by the Global Times indicated that the controversy extended beyond the courtroom, with the husband’s employer allegedly suspending him as the online backlash intensified.
