Macau, China, Nov. 12, 2025 (Lusa) - Macau's Secretary for Administration and Justice on Wednesday declined to comment on the case of the journalist prevented from covering the retrial of former deputy prosecutor Kong Chi for corruption.
"I don't know anything specific, I only know what was mentioned in the report," Wong Sio Chak explained at a press conference of the Executive Council.
According to the Portuguese-language channel of public television TDM, on Monday, officials from the Court of Second Instance (TSI) prevented a reporter from the online newspaper All About Macau from attending the trial.
The officials told TDM that they had received "orders from above" not to allow Ian Sio Tou, editor-in-chief of All About Macau and president of the Macau Journalists Association, to enter, even as a private citizen.
Wong Sio Chak said only that the decision had been made by the Macau Government Media Office, which is under the direct supervision of Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai.
‘I have nothing further to add,’ concluded the spokesman for the Executive Council.
Former deputy prosecutor Kong Chi is being retried after being sentenced in February to 21 years in prison for passive corruption for illegal acts, abuse of power, malfeasance and breach of judicial secrecy.
All About Macau announced at the end of October that it would be closing due to "increasing pressure," lack of resources and legal proceedings against three of its journalists.
On 17 April, the police detained two journalists from All About Macau as they attempted to enter the local parliament hall to attend the presentation of this year's political programme in the area of Administration and Justice.
The Public Security Police referred the case to the public prosecutor's office on the same day.
The Journalists and Communication Professionals in Asia (JOCPA) expressed "deep concern about the silence of the authorities and international institutions — including Portugal and the European Union".
Lisbon and Brussels "have a moral and historical responsibility to defend the rule of law and fundamental rights, including freedom of the press and freedom of expression," said JOCPA President Josep Solano, quoted in a statement.
In 1999, Macau passed from Portuguese to Chinese administration under an agreement that stipulated that the region should maintain fundamental rights and freedoms for the first 50 years.
"The closure of All About Macau is a blow to press freedom and seriously undermines the public's right to independent information. It is indicative of the rapid deterioration of the media environment in Macau," lamented Beh Lih Yi, Asia leader for the Committee to Protect Journalists.
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