Brief
Hong Kong arrests independent journalist Tang Ho-wing on sedition suspicion
Tang Ho-wing, founder of Boom News, was taken into custody on Wednesday, authorities say the arrest relates to a video about the August 31 Prince Edward station anniversary.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Hong Kong police arrested independent journalist Tang Ho-wing, founder of the online outlet Boom News, on Wednesday morning on suspicion of incitement by spreading disinformation, according to local outlet Sing Tao.
What happened
Bang News had posted a video on August 31 commemorating the seventh anniversary of the Prince Edward station clash, featuring a woman’s account of the 2019 protests. Police said the video spread false rumours of deaths during the clash and constituted a seditious act under the 2024 national security law.
What the reports add
Al Jazeera noted that the police also detained a second person, identified by the South China Morning Post as activist Lee Ying-chi, for the same alleged offences. The outlet highlighted that the arrests follow a broader crackdown on media, referencing the 2020 national security law and a 2024 local statute.
What was said
Police spokesperson said rumours of deaths at the Prince Edward incident were "baseless" and that the arrests were made under the 2024 national security law. Press‑freedom groups, quoted by Al Jazeera, expressed concern over the chilling effect on journalists.
How it came about
The video was posted to mark the anniversary of the 2019 Prince Edward station clash, an event that has been repeatedly cited in Hong Kong’s ongoing tensions between protesters and authorities. The arrest follows earlier high‑profile cases, such as the sentencing of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai under the national security regime.
Key facts
- Tang Ho-wing, founder of Boom News, was arrested on suspicion of incitement under the 2024 national security law. (aljazeera.com)
- The arrest relates to a video posted on August 31 about the Prince Edward station clash anniversary. (aljazeera.com)
- Police said rumours of deaths during the 2019 clash were baseless. (aljazeera.com)
- A second person, activist Lee Ying-chi, was also detained, according to the South China Morning Post. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Hong Kong journalist arrested on sedition charge”
