The media landscape in Macau faces a significant setback as All About Macau Media (AAMacau), one of the few independent news outlets in the region, has announced its closure planned for December. The decision comes amid what the platform describes as “increasing pressure and risks” that have made it unsustainable to continue operations. Co-founded over a decade ago by the late journalist Ng Sio Ngai, AAMacau has been known for its critical stance on social issues within the Chinese territory.
The outlet, which publishes both digital and print content and maintains a presence on social media, revealed that its upcoming print edition will be its last. Following a notice from government officials, AAMacau stated it was informed it no longer met “the statutory requirements to engage in relevant activities” as per Macau’s media laws, leading to the revocation of its monthly publication registration number.
In a statement, AAMacau explained the myriad challenges that led to its closure, including resource constraints, external pressure, and the strain of navigating judicial proceedings, which have made upholding its reporting standards increasingly difficult. The platform emphasized that this was a decision made reluctantly, borne out of necessity.
The outlet’s struggles intensified following a police incident in April, when two of its reporters were detained while covering an event in the legislature, marking a rare occurrence of press intimidation in Macau. AAMacau revealed that three of its journalists might face criminal charges connected to this incident.
The Government Information Bureau of Macau has yet to provide a response to inquiries regarding the closure. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the closure of AAMacau, characterizing it as a grave blow to press freedom and indicative of the rapid decline in journalism’s independence in Macau.
AAMacau originally began as a weekly feature in a local publication in 2010, later launching its website and producing a monthly magazine from May 2013. In recent years, it shifted to a funding model based on subscriptions and donations due to mounting restrictions on its operations.
Political scientist and seasoned journalist Eric Sautede remarked on the closure as an “absolute loss,” noting that AAMacau played a crucial role in promoting accountability among government and private sector officials. As the city continues to grapple with tightening media controls, the future of independent journalism in Macau remains uncertain, underscoring the vital need for diverse voices in the media landscape.