A recent incident involving Singaporean Twitch streamer, Kiaraakitty, in Taiwan has raised questions about the authenticity of an alleged attack on her. Taiwanese media has reported that the attack, where Kiaraakitty was seen being pelted with eggs in a video, was likely staged and that the attacker was a man dressed as a woman working in cahoots with the streamer.
Incident
The incident took place during a walk in Kaohsiung’s Qianzhen District on Feb. 9. The attacker was heard shouting at Kiaraakitty to stay away from her husband, to which the streamer responded by screaming back and then posting about the incident on her X account.
However, conflicting reports have emerged about whether Kiaraakitty personally reported the attack to the Taiwanese police. Central News Agency reported that no police report was made, but the Qianzhen branch conducted an investigation after learning about the incident. Meanwhile, Kiaraakitty has reportedly told Taiwan media that the attack may have been due to her doing more “adult content” and that it was someone who “felt unhappy” about it.
Egg thrower is a Singaporean man dressed as a woman
The incident has since attracted the attention of the Taiwanese public and the police, who have investigated the matter. After reviewing surveillance footage, it was discovered that the egg thrower was a 32-year-old man from Singapore disguised as a woman, who was working with the streamer. The authorities have since tracked the man down and treated the case as a violation of the Social Order Maintenance Act.
Police have demanded that Kiaraakitty make a public apology to the people of Kaohsiung on her Facebook page or during a livestream, as her actions have harmed the city’s image. However, conflicting reports have emerged about whether Kiaraakitty has apologized. Udn.com reported that she did not apologize during a stream on Feb. 24, while China Times reported that she did apologize and appeared to cry during a stream on the same day.
The incident has raised questions about the authenticity of online content and the responsibility of influencers to their followers. While Kiaraakitty has not directly addressed the allegations of staging the attack, her response to the incident has been criticized for its impact on the city’s image and the public’s trust. As the investigation continues, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible content creation and the potential consequences of misleading online behavior.
Wasting Police resources
Furthermore, the incident has sparked a debate about role and responsibilities of social media influencers, particularly when they are in a foreign country. Many have criticized Kiaraakitty for her actions, stating that she has not only wasted police resources but also damaged the reputation of Singaporeans and Twitch streamers. Some have also pointed out her behavior could have serious consequences for future influencers and travelers from Singapore.
In response to the controversy, Kiaraakitty has deleted the tweet about the incident and has not made any further public statements. However, the incident has already caused significant damage, and it remains to be seen how she will address the issue and regain the trust of her followers and the public.
This incident also highlights the importance of fact-checking and responsible reporting in journalism. While initial reports suggested that Kiaraakitty was a victim of an unprovoked attack, further investigation revealed that the incident was likely staged. It is crucial for journalists to verify information and provide accurate and unbiased reporting to maintain the trust and credibility of their readers.
In conclusion, the alleged attack on Kiaraakitty in Taiwan has raised important questions about the authenticity of online content, the responsibilities of social media influencers, and the role of journalism in fact-checking and responsible reporting. While the investigation is still ongoing, it is clear that the incident has caused significant damage and serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior and accurate reporting in the digital age.
Image via kiarraakitty Instagram and Twitch