Independent Media Outlet AAMacau to Cease Operations by December

All About Macau Media (AAMacau), one of the last independent media outlets in Macau, announced it will close by December 2023. The decision comes amid “increasing pressure and risks” faced by the organization. Founded over a decade ago by the late journalist Ng Sio Ngai, AAMacau has been known for its critical stance on various social issues within the Chinese territory.

Closure Details and Challenges Faced

AAMacau revealed that its current print edition would be its last, with the conclusion of all operations scheduled for December. The outlet stated it received notification from Macau officials indicating it “no longer meets the statutory requirements to engage in relevant activities” under the region’s media law. Consequently, its monthly publication registration number has been revoked.

“Facing resource constraints, mounting external pressures, and the need for our reporters to navigate judicial proceedings, the team found it increasingly difficult to maintain reporting standards,” the outlet stated. This closure follows a series of challenges, including the detention of two reporters in April 2023 while covering an event at the city’s legislature—a first in Macau’s history.

Impact on Press Freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists has reacted strongly to AAMacau’s closure, calling it “a blow to press freedom and a highly troubling development.” The advocacy group emphasized that this event signifies a “swift deterioration” in Macau’s media environment. The city operates under a legal system influenced by Portuguese law and enacted national security legislation in 2009, which has seen expanded powers in recent years.

AAMacau’s origins trace back to 2010 when it began as a weekly feature in a local newspaper. It launched its website two years later and produced its first monthly magazine in May 2013. In recent years, the outlet adopted a subscription and donation-based funding model, reflecting its commitment to independent journalism. However, the organization began facing restrictions on accessing government events approximately a year prior to its closure announcement.

Political scientist and veteran journalist Eric Sautede described the closure as “an absolute loss,” noting that AAMacau had played a significant role in promoting accountability among those in power, both in government and the private sector. The implications of its shutdown extend beyond the newsroom, impacting the flow of information in a region already grappling with press freedom challenges.

The Government Information Bureau of Macau has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this situation. As the media landscape continues to evolve under increasing scrutiny, the closure of AAMacau raises important questions about the future of independent journalism in Macau.