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In a statement published online, the media group said its print monthly, “All About Macau,” would end with its October 150th issue, to be replaced by a final commemorative edition. Its website and social media platforms will stop updating on December 20, 2025.
The outlet attributed the shutdown to a “difficult decision” made after “facing increasing pressure and risks.” “Confronted with resource scarcity, increasing external pressure, and our reporters having to deal with judicial procedures, the team finds it extremely difficult to maintain reporting quality,” the statement read. “Regrettably, we have no choice but to make this difficult decision.”
The group detailed a series of escalating restrictions, noting that “since October of last year (2024), our reporters have been restricted from entering certain official events for coverage.” The situation intensified in April, when “our media was again denied entry to the Legislative Assembly for reporting.”
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In April of this year, two journalists from the news outlet were taken away by the police while attempting to enter the Legislative Assembly (AL) chamber to attend a question-and-answer session on the 2025 Policy Address.
The Public Security Police (PSP) stated that the two reporters are suspected of committing the crime of “Disruption of the operation of organs of the Macau Special Administrative Region” under Article 304 of the Penal Code.
At the time, the outlet said that the journalists’ had requested to enter the plenary session was denied, and that the police were called to remove them, “claiming they were suspected of ‘disrupting the functioning of the authorities’ in Macau and of ‘illegal video recording’.”
Still inside the Assembly, according to AAM, the two reporters were issued a ‘blue card’, requiring them to follow the session from another room via television broadcast — a directive they refused to comply with.
One of the journalists detained was Ian Sio Tou, the president of the Board of Directors of the Macau Journalists Association (AJM). Prior to the incident, the AJM had expressed concern over the growing number of official events being held without media presence, and what it described as “discriminatory practices” against the sector, calling for greater respect for press freedom.
Two days later, All About Macau reporters tried to enter the chamber to report on the legislative debate on the policy address, which was attended by André Cheong, the Macau secretary for administration and justice but were barred entry.
The statement issued today by the media outlet stated that “currently, three of our reporters are facing allegations of criminal offenses related to this incident and may potentially face criminal prosecution.”
The group also stated that Macau’s Government Information Bureau notified them on October 10 that, according to the “Press Law,” they ‘no longer meet the legal conditions to engage in relevant activities,’ and the registration number for the ‘All About Macao’ monthly has been cancelled.”
According to what PLATAFORMA could assess, the GCS cited the outlet was in breach of articles 10 and 11 of the Press Law, which requests publications should have at least one Macau resident director based in the SAR.
Founded in 2010 by veteran journalist Ng Sio Ngai, All About Macau positioned itself as “one of the city’s few critical independent voices”. It said it had focused on “social affairs, culture, arts, and environmental protection” and, when covering contentious issues, had “adhered to journalistic ethics and conducted in-depth investigations, upholding justice and pluralistic values.”
The outlet, which relied on “minimal advertising revenue, reader subscriptions, and small donations,” asserted that its staff had “always diligently performed their duties, upholding the public’s right to information and freedom of speech protected by the Macao Basic Law.”
While announcing the end of this chapter, the group pledged to continue its mission through publishing. It is preparing a new book and asked readers for support, noting that donations would be used for “book publishing, legal consultations, and potential litigation expenses.”
“Although we are parting ways here for now, we earnestly request our readers to continue safeguarding civil society through action,” the statement concluded. “The cessation of publication is merely the end of one phase.”
