The US presidential election is coming soon. Earlier, a 64-page "intelligence" document about the son of the US Democratic presidential candidate Biden and his business in China was circulated on the Internet, which was widely disseminated by many Republicans. To combat Biden’s election. National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) reported on the 30th local time that the document may involve fraud. The publisher of claimed to be commissioned by the Hong Kong "Apple Daily" to write .
NBC News reported that an investigation report on Hunter’s business in China circulated online, possibly involving fraud.
US media claimed that Biden was "black material"
is the "Apple Daily" commissioned to fabricate
. NBC News reported that a 64-page investigation report appeared on the US social network earlier, accusing Biden's son Hunter of having trouble in China. People's business allows Biden to be "controlled" by the Chinese government. The author of the article claims to be Swiss security analyst Martin Aspen. However, some professionals discovered after investigation that the "author" of , Aspen, turned out to be a dummy generated by AI, and other materials were all stolen pictures and fabricated. The
report continued that one of the Chinese observers, Christopher Balding, who participated in the promotion of the report and even wrote some of the content, said that the report was commissioned by Apple Daily. The report also quoted an Apple Daily spokesperson saying that they participated in the preparation of the report. In addition, NBC also revealed that Balding has a close relationship with anti-China forces such as Bannon.
Li Zhiying admitted that his assistant was involved in
but said that he did not know
. After that, the Hong Kong and Taiwan "Apple Daily" issued a statement denying that they had commissioned anyone to write any documents. However, “Apple Daily” later admitted in its own report that Mark Simon, the personal assistant of Next Media’s founder Li Zhiying, had contacted Barding and entrusted the other party to conduct a background check on related persons. The company withdrew 10,000 US dollars to pay for investigation expenses.
Li Zhiying posted several posts on social networking sites on the 30th. admitted that although his assistant Mark Simon was not commissioned, he did participate in the incident. He also pointed out that Mark Simon used the funds of Li Zhiying's private company for research. The amount was only US$10,000 (about HK$78,000), so his approval was not required.
Li Zhiying (right)'s personal assistant Mark Simon (left). The data map
Li Zhiying also stated that he himself "has no knowledge of this and was deeply shocked." Next Media’s board of directors also issued a statement to "cut off" with Mark Simon, stating that he is not currently an employee of the group, nor can he represent the group, and any opinions, actions and remarks do not represent the group. Mark Simon apologized and resigned late last night.
However, people from all walks of life did not buy into Li Zhiying's "operation", thinking that it was nothing more than the hope that would "abandon the car to protect the handsome" , in order to wash away the possible crimes behind the documents. Li Zhiying and Next Media behind him abused the fourth right to make fake news in order to manipulate the US election. This has become an international scandal and cannot escape the responsibility of "the scum of the press."
Hong Kong Legislative Council member Liang Meifen , who is a barrister himself, said that although Li Zhiying claimed that Mark Simon could use funds without his permission, the top person in charge of the affairs carried out in the name of the company legally With joint and several liability, it is difficult for Li Zhiying to "get away" completely.
Hong Kong Legislative Council Member Jiang Liyun also pointed out that if the document is "true or false report", the consequences are very serious. The person who is discredited can take legal action, which will certainly cause a certain degree of harm to the candidate. Jiang also said that the Apple Daily had been suspected of fraud on several occasions, and the reports on the incident were even more exaggerated, describing his behavior as "unethical."
Source: Beijing Daily (ID: Beijing_Daily) Comprehensive report
Reference materials: Hong Kong Dagong Network, Orange News
Producer: Zhang Li
Editor: Chuxin
Process Editor Wu Yue