Chinese state media highlights Canadian vlogger Toby Guu’s Hong Kong protest videos
- YouTuber is facing an online backlash after he posed as a journalist in a yellow press vest while he was visiting the city as a tourist
- State outlets picked up on his comments that he found police more restrained and protesters more violent than expected
Canadian YouTuber Toby Guu has caught the attention of Chinese state media for his videos of protest violence in Hong Kong last week, but he is also facing an online backlash for posing as a journalist while he was filming.
Guu, who has a history of controversial stunts on social media, said his trip to Hong Kong was “more than I bargained for”. He said afterwards that he was shocked to see the violence for himself and supported Hongkongers “fighting for their freedom”.
State media outlets People’s Daily, China Daily and CGTN circulated a mash-up of Guu’s videos, highlighting comments that he found police to be more restrained, and the protesters more violent, than he expected.
Guu, who was visiting Hong Kong as a tourist, was criticised on social media for posing as a journalist and commentating on what was happening when he could not understand the language.
After a “massive backlash” he posted a follow-up video on Tuesday to explain the rationale behind his original video. He said he made it to “get more views”.
