Hong Kong’s national security police arrested Tang Ho-wing, the founder of the online news outlet Boom News, along with activist Lee Ying-chi on suspicion of incitement through the spreading of disinformation. The arrests occurred early Wednesday morning and are linked to an incident outside Prince Edward MTR station on August 31, where individuals were reported to have held white flowers and chanted slogans described by authorities as seditious.
Tang, 37, known online as “Boom head” or Bobby, launched Boom News in 2020 after working with the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s student newspaper and the local online forum HK Golden. Boom News primarily operates on social media platforms and had a following of approximately 66,000 on Instagram as of Wednesday. The outlet describes itself as supporting independent journalism and press freedom, receiving financial support through Patreon, PayPal, and other payment systems.
According to a police statement issued Wednesday, the arrests are related to activities deemed seditious under Hong Kong’s national security law, enacted in 2024. Authorities said that people gathered outside Prince Edward MTR station on August 31 were suspected of spreading false information with the intention of inciting hatred against the government and law enforcement. The police indicated the individuals had used misleading statements to attack the government and police, which could amount to offenses under the new law.
Prior to Tang and Lee’s arrests, six other individuals were taken into custody on similar charges connected to the same event; two men and one woman were detained earlier this month, while others were released on bail. The police have not publicly identified all those apprehended but stated that the ongoing investigations involve charges of incitement and disinformation.
The arrests have generated concern among press freedom advocates and some members of the public, who view the use of the national security law to target journalists and activists as a potential threat to freedom of expression in the city. Supporters of the law argue that it is necessary to maintain social order and counter what authorities describe as attempts to destabilize the government.
As of Wednesday, both Tang and Lee remain in custody pending further investigation. Authorities have not released detailed information about planned charges or court proceedings. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in Hong Kong between government security measures and the region’s media environment.