Hong Kong police walk out of their press conference after journalists stage silent protest accusing force of violence and lies

Hong Kong police called off their press conference on Monday after six journalists staged a silent protest wearing helmets with slogans accusing officers of lies and violence, actions that the force condemned as “disrespectful”.

A member of the group criticised police for the arrest of two journalists on assignment during the weekend clashes, and challenged the force on its insistence that it had not targeted reporters.

Reporters from RTHK, Ming Pao, Stand News, AM730, Initium and Inmedia sat in a row in the middle of the briefing room with helmets plastered with words that read “investigate police violence, stop police lies”.

The press conference at police headquarters in Wan Chai, scheduled to start at 4pm, was initially suspended for 20 minutes and later cancelled after officers repeatedly urged the group to take off their helmets or leave immediately but failed to eject them. Officers then left before the host declared that the reporters involved were denying the public their right to information. The lights were then switched off, leaving the journalists in darkness.

The latest clash with journalists occurred a week after a reporter protested at a police media conference, accusing officers of mistreating journalists. That session resumed after a brief suspension.

On Monday’s aborted press conference – which other journalists in the room had urged the police to continue with – Chief Superintendent John Tse Chun-chung, head of the Police Public Relations Branch, said they had no choice.