Death draws attention to cyberbullying
Several Taiwanese celebrities on Thursday spoke out against cyberbullying in the latest response to the death of model and actress Peng Hsin-yi (彭馨逸), more commonly known by her stage name, Cindy Yang (楊又穎), who apparently committed suicide after online attacks.
In an apparent suicide note found on Tuesday, she said she had been bullied online and wanted — through her death — to turn a spotlight on “the dreadful power” of cyberbullying, her brother said on Thursday.
Upon learning about the message, pop diva Jody Chiang (江蕙) on Facebook said that she was saddened by the fall of a rising star and she urged other young adults to value their lives.
It seems there is “too much freedom of speech in Taiwan,” she said, calling for an end to cyberbullying.
“I hope Cindy’s sacrifice will force some people to engage in self-reflection,” Chiang wrote.
Singer-songwriter Christine Fan (范瑋琪) wrote a Facebook post calling for positive influences and for people to stop cyberbullying.
She also urged targets of cyberbullying not to be dispirited.
Scriptwriter and director Wu Nien-jen (吳念真), speaking at a news conference on Thursday, said that cyberspace is like an open market.
“Whatever netizens say, you just have to remember who you are,” he said. “As long as you are doing the right things, there is no need to worry about what others say.”
Singer and actress Kay Huang (黃韻玲) expressed sadness over Peng’s death.
Bullying is not uncommon, but “we have to uplift ourselves and be brave enough to face reality,” she said.
Huang said she was targeted after her first album was released.
At the time, an older actress told her: “You will see more of that in the future — setbacks are inevitable in life,” Huang said.
A 24-year-old entertainer, Peng was found dead at her residence in Taichung on Tuesday. A note and a metal canister reportedly containing helium were found nearby.
Much of the negative commentary concerning Peng appeared on a Facebook page that is not associated with any individual, but operates like a blog or a forum.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Wu Se-hwa (吳思華) said that he would back legislation against cyberbullying, if Taiwan decided to introduce such laws.
He said Peng’s case highlights the problem of cyberbullying and the need for new regulations to protect personal freedom.
The Taichung District Prosecutors’ Office said cyberbullying is recognized in Taiwan as a potentially indictable offense, adding that it would launch an investigation into the circumstances of Peng’s death.
Chief prosecutor Chang Hsiao-wen (張曉雯) said cyberbullying that involves spreading rumors might constitute an indictable offense, such as public insult or libel, but only if a complaint is lodged.
