Hong Kong authorities have arrested independent media founder Tang Ho-wing on suspicion of inciting hatred by spreading disinformation through a video covering a 2019 subway clash. According to local news outlet Sing Tao, police detained the Boom News founder on Wednesday morning amid mounting pressure on the city’s independent press.
The Prince Edward Station Video and Police Response
The arrest stems from online coverage published by Boom News, an independent outlet with more than 66,000 Instagram followers. The channel posted a video featuring a woman’s account of the August 31, 2019, incident at Prince Edward MTR station, where anti-government protesters clashed with police and claimed some individuals were killed. Authorities have repeatedly denied these fatalities. On Wednesday, police reiterated that rumors of deaths during the station clash remain entirely baseless.
Authorities report that individuals at the site carried flowers, chanted banned slogans, and spread disinformation designed to incite hatred against the government and police forces.
Sedition Arrests Under the 2024 National Security Law
Police confirmed on Wednesday that they arrested two people on suspicion of committing seditious acts under the local 2024 security statute. While officials initially withheld the names of the suspects, the South China Morning Post identified the second detained individual as activist Lee Ying-chi. Six other people previously arrested in connection with the same sedition offense have since been released on bail.
Independent reporting reveals that these detentions form part of a broader crackdown following sweeping political changes. Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong in 2020, which local lawmakers reinforced with an additional statute in 2024.
The Chilling Effect on Hong Kong’s Press Freedom
Press freedom groups have voiced growing concern over the detention of Tang Ho-wing, pointing to a severe chilling effect across the local media industry. This pressure on journalists became starkly visible in February when Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Several of Lai’s former staff members received prison terms ranging from nearly seven to 10 years under the territory’s restructured legal framework.
Did you know? Boom News has built a significant following on social media, with over 66,000 followers on Instagram prior to the recent police action against its founder.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arrests
Who was arrested alongside the Boom News founder?
While police did not name the suspects upon announcing two arrests under the 2024 national security law, the South China Morning Post identified the second detained individual as activist Lee Ying-chi.
What specific video triggered the police action?
Authorities took action over a Boom News video featuring a woman’s account of the August 31, 2019, Prince Edward station clash, which police described as spreading baseless rumors of deaths.
How many people have faced police action in this case?
Police arrested two individuals on Wednesday, while six others previously detained in connection with the same gathering outside the subway station have been released on bail.
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