Protest Against Police Disrupts Media Briefing

A police briefing on Monday was disrupted after journalists staged a protest over officers using violence against the media and preventing them from carrying out their duties.

The police conference was well underway when a freelance journalist stood up and interrupted the briefing by reading out a statement criticising officers for ripping off reporters’ face masks, pepper spraying them, and firing rubber bullets at them.

The female journalist mimicked the behaviour of frontline officers by shining a bright light at the police officials giving the briefing.

Other journalists shouted at the police in support of the freelancer, and surrounded her to stop her from being removed.

The police representatives marched out during the chaos, and the journalists soon left the room too.

As most television channels continued live streaming the events, one official was seen rushing to cover up the motto of the police department "We Serve with Pride and Care" displayed on the backdrop.

The briefing resumed after a 30 minute suspension with Chief superintendent John Tse expressing regret over the interruption, saying such disorderly conduct denies the public their right to information.