Told a press conference

[Ju]

He told a press conference that the number of female smokers in Japan has risen by 70 percent in the last two decades.

Does "he told a press conference" mean he said something in the press conference?

 

[jutfrank]

Yes.

 

[Yankee]

One does not "tell" a press conference. "He mentioned/stated/explained in/at the press conference...". "Tell/told" would be clumsy at best.

 

[GoesStation]

He told a press conference that the number of female smokers in Japan has risen by 70 percent in the last two decades.

Does "he told a press conference" mean he said something in the press conference?

What is the source and author of the text?

 

[emsr2d2]

It does not jar with me.

Nor me. I take it to mean "He told [the people present at] the press conference".