訪談：在台灣遭遇的任意處罰 — 我的故事登上 Taiwan Explorers
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2025 年 7 月 11 日 • 一場公開訪談，聚焦比例原則、文件紀錄與正當程序疑慮。
我非常感謝Benoit F. Massé（法國導演、長期居住台灣）願意撥出時間，仔細記錄一場關於我案件的訪談。我們的目的並非煽動、貼標籤或以偏概全——而是呈現可被檢視的個人經驗，並說明我為何認為此事值得依原則接受審查。
本篇核心目的：讓首次接觸此案的讀者（記者、律師、倡議者或一般大眾）能先觀看訪談，再快速取得主要文件與時間軸。
同一訪談的中文配音版本：
文件入口（整合頁）： rosscline.com/scam | iLearn.tw/scam
為何這場訪談重要
我之所以進行這場訪談，是因為我認為文件紀錄呈現出一個嚴肅的問題：比例原則與程序公平是否被妥善對待。我不要求任何人在未檢視紀錄前接受我的結論；我所請求的是：對書面文件與我所承受之實際後果，進行謹慎、透明的審視。
我在台灣生活多年，在那裡建立了工作與人生。此案的結果迫使我離開我視為「家」的地方。人道影響是真實的，但本頁重點在於可被檢驗的部分：日期、文件、採取的行動，以及整體結果是否符合比例。
對讀者的請求：如果此案的決定經得起檢驗，它就應該能被清楚地向公眾解釋；若不然，法律上應存在相應的救濟。
📄 訪談逐字稿全文（點擊展開）
說明：本逐字稿為提升可讀性而做了輕度編修（清晰度、語氣與流暢度），但保留原對話之意義與結構。提供此版本是為了讓記者與審閱者不必反覆回看影片，也能快速掌握敘事脈絡。
Benoit F. Massé：
大家好，歡迎收看。今天我們要談一個嚴肅的主題：台灣的法律風險與正當程序，特別是它如何影響外籍居留者。我們的目的不是製造恐懼，而是幫助大家理解：當糾紛升級時可能發生什麼，以及為什麼文件紀錄與公平如此重要。Ross，先請你自我介紹。
Ross Cline：
大家好，我是 Ross Cline，來自加拿大新布倫瑞克省。我在 2009 年搬到台灣，並在台中市政府附近開了一間學校。久而久之，台灣成了我的家——無論是生活上還是工作上。
Benoit F. Massé：
你在 2009 年開始辦學。在那之前，是什麼讓你第一次來到台灣？
Ross Cline：
我在 18 歲時第一次來台灣，暑假期間教英文。之後我回加拿大，在多倫多生活了幾年，也曾在德國待過一段時間。最後我決定在台灣建立長期生活。2009 年末我開了學校，並努力依法、專業地營運。
Benoit F. Massé：
你在台灣住了很久。事情什麼時候開始變得不穩定？
Ross Cline：
多年都很穩定後，我先是遇到工作環境的重大干擾，之後又碰上一段租屋與住房情況，變得比我想像中複雜得多。回頭看，我希望我更早理解：糾紛可以升級得多快；而當你無法流利閱讀語言時，程序的應對會變得多困難。
Benoit F. Massé：
對不了解你案件的觀眾來說：引發法律指控的觸發點是什麼？
Ross Cline：
觸發事件是：在一段租屋糾紛期間，我曾短暫公開張貼租賃契約的一部分——我的意圖是針對一個與安全相關的情況，釐清責任與紀錄事實。當有人要求我移除後，我很快就移除了並道歉。我未曾預料，此事會導致多年刑事訴訟，並造成嚴重結果，最終迫使我離開台灣。
Benoit F. Massé：
一般大眾可能會想問：當時涉及的是什麼資訊？
Ross Cline：
在台灣，地址相關資訊可能被視為《個人資料保護法》下的受保護個資。我提出的重點並不是否定隱私的重要性——它當然重要——而是：更大的脈絡與比例原則是否被實質衡量；以及當結果相對於事實顯得極端時，是否存在可行且合法的救濟途徑。
Benoit F. Massé：
而這最終讓你離開台灣？
Ross Cline：
是的。經過漫長程序與風險升高後，我的律師建議我離開。我離開了。這不是我想要的結果，但那是避免走向徹底摧毀我重建人生能力的唯一現實方式。
Benoit F. Massé：
有些人可能會說：「這是非常罕見的情況。」
Ross Cline：
我同意，很多人在台灣生活並不會遇到類似情況。但一旦發生，它會徹底改變人生——尤其當語言障礙與程序複雜性讓你難以及時自我辯護時。我的目的不是聲稱這是所有人的經驗，而是希望：罕見但嚴重的結果，也能被透明地檢視。
Benoit F. Massé：
你現在希望發生什麼？
Ross Cline：
如果紀錄支持，我希望能有合法的檢視與更正。我也希望公眾與媒體能以有組織的方式審閱文件。這就是為什麼我把一切集中在 rosscline.com/scam 與 iLearn.tw/scam：包含時間軸、關鍵往返文件與媒體報導。
Benoit F. Massé：
謝謝你，Ross。我希望這能帶來更清楚的釐清與公平的解決。
Ross Cline：
謝謝你提供一個可以冷靜討論的平台。我所要求的就是：謹慎審閱；若確有必要，也能得到公平的救濟。
感謝每一位閱讀並以文件與事實為依據進行評估的人。
1 則留言
In Taiwan, truth is not a defense — it’s the reason you’re punished.
The court admitted I caused no harm, had no intent to hurt anyone, and simply shared a contract after being scammed. Their response? Six months in jail.
Taiwan doesn’t protect free speech. It doesn’t protect justice. It protects power, property, and face.
And if you’re a foreigner — you’re disposable. You’re just a guest until you challenge the wrong person.
Taiwan wants to be seen as a beacon of freedom against China, but this case proves:
It’s not a democracy. It’s an authoritarian state that smiles for the West.
Use irony to turn Taiwan’s global branding against it:
• “Asia’s Most Progressive Democracy” — unless you make a rich landlord uncomfortable.
• “A Safe Place for Foreign Talent” — unless you stand up for yourself.
• “A Country of Laws” — unless those laws are inconvenient to someone with guanxi (connections).
At least in China, the courts don’t pretend.
In Taiwan, they say “you’re innocent” — then punish you anyway.
This is fake democracy with real consequences.
1. Ross, can you walk us through what led to this whole situation?
Ross:
Sure. I rented a place to run my English school — everything was legal. But when the landlord refused to fix serious issues, I posted our rental contract online to ask for advice. That’s all I did.
And for that? I was convicted of a criminal offense — for posting my own lease.
Not because I lied. Not because I hurt anyone. Just because I embarrassed a landlord in a system built to protect landlords at any cost.
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2. What did the court actually say in its decision?
Ross:
The most surreal part is that the court literally said:
“You caused no harm and had no malicious intent.”
Then they gave me six months in jail anyway.
That’s not law — that’s authoritarianism with paperwork.
Taiwan didn’t convict me for doing wrong. They convicted me for not apologizing enough for being right.
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3. And what did the prosecution claim you did wrong?
Ross:
They said I violated privacy by posting the landlord’s address — the same address anyone could find online.
If that sounds insane, it’s because it is.
In Taiwan, truth isn’t a defense — it’s a threat. The moment you speak up, the system turns on you.
The court knew I didn’t harm anyone. But I made the wrong person lose face. That’s the real crime here.
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4. Were you given any alternative to jail?
Ross:
Yes — and it was even more insulting.
They offered me a full year of unpaid labor — teaching English five days a week, full-time, with zero pay.
They tried to dress it up as “community service.” But let’s be honest — that’s just forced labor.
It was their way of saying: “Either disappear quietly or work for free while we pat ourselves on the back.”
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5. Do you think your foreign status played a role in how this was handled?
Ross:
Completely.
In Taiwan, if you’re a foreigner, you’re just a guest until the system needs a scapegoat.
They love you when you’re spending money and keeping quiet. But the second you challenge someone local — especially with connections — you’re roadkill.
It’s not a legal system. It’s a loyalty test.
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6. What was the hardest part of all this?
Ross:
Honestly, realizing how fake the system is.
You walk into a courtroom thinking it’s about truth and fairness — and it’s not. It’s theater.
I watched a judge say I did no harm — and then punish me for my attitude. That’s not law. That’s legalized gaslighting.
And that moment shattered every belief I had about Taiwan being “different from China.”
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7. What do you say to people who argue Taiwan is still a young democracy trying to improve?
Ross:
No. That excuse expired a decade ago.
You don’t get to call yourself a democracy while jailing foreigners for telling the truth.
What happened to me would make sense in Russia or China. But Taiwan? The one getting praised by Western governments?
Let’s be honest — this is a feudal system in Western drag.
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8. What do you want people — especially in the West — to understand about your case?
Ross:
I want them to understand that Taiwan is playing two roles:
One for the cameras — progressive, modern, pro-human rights.
And one behind closed doors — vindictive, nationalistic, and legally corrupt when it suits them.
This isn’t just about me. It’s a warning: don’t confuse good PR with good government.
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9. Are you planning to keep fighting this publicly?
Ross:
Absolutely. If they’re going to ruin my life for speaking the truth, I’ll make sure the world hears it.
I’ve got nothing to lose.
And Taiwan’s legal system? It just lost the one thing that mattered: its reputation.
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10. Final words?
Ross:
Yes — if you’re watching this thinking “That could never happen to me,” you’re wrong.
If you’re a foreigner in Taiwan, you’re protected until you aren’t.
And if you think Taiwan’s courts are about justice, just remember:
They said I did no harm, no wrong…
…and then they threw me in a cage anyway.