Binance Sues Bloomberg Businessweek for Defamation in HK

blockchain.news:

A Bloomberg media subsidiary in Hong Kong is under legal challenge and being sued for defamatory comments on an article published by the publication about Binance Chief Executive Changpeng Zhao (CZ).

This action comes after CZ filed a defamation lawsuit on Monday in Hong Kong High Court against Modern Media, as a publisher of the traditional Chinese-language edition of Bloomberg Businessweek, according to local media reports.

The lawsuit stems from Bloomberg‘s subsidiary Modern Media company undermining Zhao’s image in an article published on July 6 or the 250th issue. The original article title by the media outlet stated: “Can Crypto’s Richest Man Stand the Cold?” But the plaintiff indicated Bloomberg Businessweek‘s Chinese Edition context was inaccurate and portrayed Zhao as running a Ponzi Scheme.

According to Zhao’s legal representative, the headline design by Bloomberg’s Chinese subsidiary was aimed to promote hatred, contempt, and ridicule for the world’s richest crypto billionaire.

Zhao’s defence stated that Modern Media is an influential publication with a broad reach in Hong Kong. The publication damaged his public image within the crypto community and other business circles and caused distress and embarrassment.

Zhao, through his representatives, has asked Modern Media to withdraw the defamatory comments on the article and also requested a formal apology and compensation, including aggravated damages.

CZ has separately filed a motion for discovery against Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for defamation stemming from the original profile piece in June.

This is not the first time CZ has taken matters to court against media publications to protect