Two arrested over threatening content against TVB and its clients

Two persons were arrested yesterday after they posted threatening content online, calling on people to boycott Television Broadcast Ltd and clients that place ads on TVB channels for life.

Police arrested a secondary six male student, 18, in Sham Shui Po and a jobless man, 26, in Ma On Shan, suspected of conspiracy of criminal intimidation, inciting others to take part in unauthorized assemblies and inciting others to do grievous bodily harm with intent.

The student and the man were suspected of continuously posting content that slander TVB and threaten advertisers to not place any ads on TVB's channels.

According to superintendent of police Wilson Tam Wai-shun, the Facebook page was created by the student last May, and over 2,000 posts had been published since then, calling on people to boycott TVB as well as companies which place ads on TVB for life.

The page encouraged netizens to “give out 'angry' reaction” on TVB's Facebook page as well.

There was also a list of over 100 businesses that place advertisements on TVB's channel and relevant artistes. Businesses were disturbed and threatened by such act, posing loss in TVB's finance and reputation, Tam pointed out.

“The media organization, artistes and advertisers were attacked indiscriminately by the group,” said Tam.

Tam added police also found out that the two suspects posted content to incite others to take part in unauthorized assembly and violent assault towards media workers of TVB, police officers and officers' family members.

Officers confiscated three smartphones, two tablets and three computers in the operation. The two were remanded for questioning, and police didn't rule out more arrests to be made, Tam said.

On the other hand TVB issued a statement today as well, saying it learned the police yesterday arrested two suspects of spreading messages that incited nuisance towards their advertisers and artistes.

“The Internet is not a lawless world. TVB condemns all online and offline illegal acts and appreciates the police for their investigation work and will cooperate fully with the police to bring offenders to justice,” it said.