Former MP Han Dong settles defamation lawsuit with Global News
Former MP Han Dong has finally reached a settlement in his defamation lawsuit against Global News, marking the end of a lengthy legal battle that began two years ago. The lawsuit stemmed from an article published by Global News alleging that Dong had advised a Chinese diplomat to delay the release of two Canadians who were detained in China at the time.
In a statement posted on Global News’ website, the news organization announced that they had settled the lawsuit with Han Dong. The article in question, published in March 2023, claimed that Dong had advised a senior Chinese diplomat to hold off on releasing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two Canadians who were being held in China. Dong vehemently denied these allegations and promptly filed a lawsuit against Global News, its parent company Corus, and several journalists.
The final report of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, conducted by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, revealed that classified intelligence supported Dong’s denial of the allegations. The report stated that there was no evidence to suggest that Dong had advised China to extend the detention of Kovrig and Spavor.
Global News acknowledged the findings of the inquiry’s report in their statement, emphasizing that their reporting was based on information provided by confidential intelligence sources. They clarified that their intent was to report on matters of public interest and that the allegations against Dong were unproven and subject to different interpretations.
In a statement to CBC News, Dong expressed relief that the settlement had been reached after two years of legal battles. He also mentioned his appreciation for the opportunity to serve in public office and as a member of the Liberal caucus, despite leaving the caucus in March 2023 to sit as an Independent MP.
The legal saga came to a close in June 2024 when an Ontario Superior Court judge found no documented evidence to support the allegations made against Dong in the Global News articles. The judge rejected an application from Corus Entertainment to dismiss Dong’s lawsuit, stating that it was in the public interest to hear the case.
Kovrig and Spavor were eventually released and returned to Canada in September 2021, nearly three years after their initial detention in China. The ordeal was widely viewed as a retaliatory response to Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on behalf of U.S. authorities.
The resolution of the lawsuit brings an end to a challenging chapter for Han Dong and allows him to move forward with his life and career. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate and responsible journalism in reporting on sensitive and complex geopolitical issues.
