08/10/2020
Statement on premature closure of World Press Photo Exhibition
The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) regrets the premature closure of the World Press Photo Exhibition for reasons yet to be clarified. If the premature shutdown of the exhibition is a result of pressure related to some photographs on display, then we consider it to be a serious and worrying incident that signals an erosion of freedom of expression.
We emphasize that the World Press Photo exhibition brings together the world’s best photojournalism and has been a prestigious event for Macau over the years, highlighting quality photojournalism and press freedom.
AIPIM Board of Directors
Macau, October 8, 2020
AIPIM representatives meet new Government Information Bureau Director
Representatives of the Governing bodies of the Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) held a meeting today (July 23) with the new director of the Government Information Bureau(GCS), Inês Chan, where we addressed a number of issues of relevance for our members and the overall journalistic community, with an emphasis on the importance of upholding press freedom, the need to improve access to information and the quality of the translations provided as well as the need to establish a recognition system and access to information for online news media.
23/07/2020
AIPIM Board of Directors
AIPIM donates food to Caritas Macau following Covid-19 fundraising campaign
The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) delivered food items to Caritas Macau this afternoon that it acquired with the funds from the solidarity campaign it launched in recent weeks. During the campaign that ran from June 12th to July 9th, 23,600 patacas were raised. In addition to the contribution from AIPIM members and AIPIM's funds, the Macau Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility in Greater China in Macau joined this initiative with a 7,500 pataca donation.
With the funds raised, AIPIM acquired food items - rice and canned food - which were handed over to Caritas Macau to assist the families of citizens (residents and non-residents) that the NGO has been supporting in this period of crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
AIPIM expresses its deepest gratitude to all those who participated in this solidarity initiative: AIPIM members, members of the Macau Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility in Greater China in Macau, to the other citizens who were involved in the campaign, and particularly to Caritas Macau, in the person of tireless secretary-general Paul Pun, with whom we coordinated this initiative.
Macau, 11 July 2020
AIPIM Board
18/03/2020
Statement
The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) is highly concerned and regrets the inclusion of Macau and Hong Kong in the Central Government’s decision to ban American journalists from three US media outlets from working in China.
AIPIM calls for a clarification on the activity of non-local journalists and media outlets in order to ease concerns and ensure that press freedom is fully upheld as enshrined in Article 27 of the Macau Basic Law. This applies not only to local journalists and media outlets but also to non-local journalists and news organizations with their headquarters outside of Macau, as mentioned in Article 9 of the Macau Press Law.
AIPIM is worried about the negative impact of the escalating tensions between the United States and China over press freedom and hopes that this situation can de-escalate and be reversed as soon as possible.
AIPIM thus regrets both this decision by Beijing regarding US journalists and the measures previously taken by Washington affecting Chinese journalists and news organizations.
Macau, March 18, 2020
13/12/2019
Statement
In face of recent cases of journalists from outside of Macau being denied entry or being subject to length questioning at the borders, the Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) expresses concern and calls on Macau authorities to respect the journalists’ freedom of movement and stresses the importance of ensuring that press freedom is fully upheld.
Macau, December 13, 2019
APIM Board of Directors
20/5/2017
Statement
The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) expresses perplexity and great concern regarding article 25 of the civil protection law proposal pertaining the crime against security, order and public peace in sudden incidents of public nature, referring to situations after the state of prevention is declared.
AIPIM expresses perplexity, taking into consideration that the phrasing “biased, unfounded and fake news” was never under discussion during the public consultation phase.
Moreover, great concern comes from the vague and subjective nature of the expressions and concepts used. When it comes to intent, the expression “or due to any other reasons that can disturb the end or the relief of the declared state (of prevention) or public tranquility” raises apprehension, since it can pave the way to arbitrariness of law interpretation and enforcement.
Equally worrying is the expression “biased, unfounded and fake news”. AIPIM has great reservations concerning the expression “fake news” in itself, and considers the qualification “biased and unfounded” inadequate and highly subjective, posing a risk at the level of press freedom, the editorial independence of the media and citizens’ right to information, potentially inhibiting the journalists’ role once the state of prevention is declared.
AIPIM calls on the Government and lawmakers at the Legislative Assembly to clarify the concepts at stake and to amend the article in order to reassure journalists and the community, as well as to protect the different legal goods in question, bearing in mind the importance of ensuring press freedom and right to information.
Macau, May 20, 2019
AIPIM Board of Directors
27/9/2017
Note of condolence for the passing of journalist Luís Andrade de Sá
The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) profoundly laments the passing of our professional colleague, member of AIPIM, and friend Luís Andrade de Sá. AIPIM expresses its deepest condolences to his family in this moment of mourning. Luís Sá is an irreplaceable name in the journalistic world of Macau and Portugal and has been for decades, leaving his impression as an editor, reporter and colleague. The light of his wit and excellent quality of his journalistic work will eternally carry on.
Macau, 27 of September, 2017
AIPIM Board of Directors
AIPIM Statement on CAEAL/Plataforma
The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) has learned that the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) has ordered weekly newspaper 'Plataforma' to remove from its online edition an interview with a candidate to the Legislative Assembly elections. The notification quotes the Electoral Law, namely the period during which electoral propaganda is banned, as well as formal instructions issued by CAEAL to internet service providers regarding breaches of the electoral law.
AIPIM deplores this situation, stressing that it is perplexing that news content, such as an interview, can be considered electoral propaganda. In line with was spelled out in our statement issued on April 20, AIPIM believes that it is crucial that the right to information and press freedom are fully respected - in all instances and at all times, before the election campaign begins - in accordance with what is enshrined in the Basic Law and the Press Law.
Macau, August 28, 2017
AIPIM Board of Directors
AIPIM Statement on Hong Kong journalists being barred by Macau authorities
The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) deeply regrets the decision taken by the Macau SAR authorities to deny entry to four Hong Kong reporters who, according their media outlets, were coming to Macau for the news coverage of the aftermath of typhoon Hato.
AIPIM finds the explanation given by the local authorities incomprehensible and unsatisfactory and cautions that this move, similarly to previous ones of the same kind, tarnishes the international image of the SAR regarding press freedom.
Macau, August 27, 2017
AIPIM Board of Directors
Statement
The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) expresses concern over the uncertainty surrounding the news coverage related to the upcoming Legislative Elections, which may result in constraints to the journalists’ work.
AIPIM believes that it is crucial that the right to information and press freedom are fully respected in all instances and at all times - including before the election campaign begins - in accordance with what is enshrined in the Basic Law and the Press Law. This includes interviews and news coverage involving candidates running in the election.
AIPIM also stresses that it is important that the Electoral Affairs Committee does not issue any guidelines or instructions to media outlets or journalists pertaining to news coverage during any specific period of time.
Macau, April 20, 2017
AIPIM Board of Directors