We must talk sense to the brainwashed: police

We must talk sense to the brainwashed: police

The police used their press briefing on Friday to once again complain about the spread of "fake news" about them, saying the force has to "talk sense" to those who have been brainwashed by posts on the internet and by some mainstream media.



Senior superintendent Kwok Ka-chuen said misinformation was being circulated to discredit the police and to defend "rioters".



"For example, one man who fell from height, said he didn't want to 'disappear from the world'. Such ridiculous thinking shows he has been brainwashed and indoctrinated with anti-police hatred. The police always work under a legal framework and follow the law closely when carrying out our legal duties," Kwok said.



"Many arrested people have come out and said our handling of their cases was professional and sensible. It is vital that we talk sense to those who have been brainwashed by fake news and misinformation."



A video issued by the force on Thursday suggested two of the mainstream media outlets they had in mind were RTHK and Apple Daily.



Meanwhile, the police provided their account of the series of protests at malls across the city over Christmas, speaking of "harassed diners and shoppers", arson, vandalised facilities and petrol bomb attacks on officers.



They said the whole of Hong Kong is living in a state of constant fear, and urged anyone who has already fallen victim to "rioters and their supporters" to file a report with them.



"Everyone can be the next victim of this black terror. Not only are these masked rioters brutal, they're also shameful. Shame on them for committing crime and hoping to escape legal liability," said Kwok.



"Their scheme is to silence those who hold dissenting views and to terrorise the public," he added.



The force said that between Monday and midnight on Thursday, they arrested 336 people, aged between 12 and 54. The alleged offences included unlawful assembly, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage.