Editorial Interference at the Public Broadcaster
In March 2021, fourteen Portuguese and English-speaking journalists resigned from Macau’s public broadcaster, Teledifusão de Macau (TDM). The resignations followed the imposition of editorial guidelines by TDM’s Executive Committee requiring journalists to “promote patriotism” and to “not disseminate information or opinions contrary to the policies of China and Macau SAR”. Journalists who did not comply with the guidelines were warned of dismissal.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the editorial interference, with RSF’s Southeast Asia director expressing concern that Macau’s public broadcaster would become a “propaganda organ” of the state.
Denial of Entry to Non-local Journalists
An increasing number of non-local journalists have been denied entry to Macau, particularly around politically sensitive dates such as visits of Chinese state leaders. Journalists working for Hong Kong media outlets that published stories critical of the Macau authorities have consistently reported being refused entry on the grounds of “endangering the public security of Macau”.
Even the production of press passes issued by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of Macau has not helped Hong Kong journalists to pass through immigration control. The authorities have maintained the position that individual visitors’ occupations are “irrelevant” to entry decisions, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Observations by UN Treaty Bodies
Human Rights Committee (July 2022)
The Committee expressed concern about the deterioration of freedom of expression and media freedom in Macau in recent years. It noted persisting reports of harassment and threats against journalists, continued entry bans against foreign journalists, and the requirement for public broadcasting journalists to “promote patriotism”. It also expressed concern about the suppression of public display of political messages through overbroad definitions of “assembly”.
The Committee also regretted that Macau continues to criminalise defamation and insults to the national flag, emblem and anthem, noting that imprisonment is never an appropriate penalty for defamation.
The Committee urged Macau, China to:
- Ensure that any restrictions on freedom of opinion comply with the strict requirements of Article 19 of the Covenant;
- Review all restrictions on press and media activities, including entry bans and undue restrictions on editorial independence;
- Refrain from measures aimed at deterring journalists, human rights defenders and academics from exercising their right to freedom of expression; and
- Consider decriminalising defamation and resort to criminal law only in the most serious cases.
(CCPR/C/CHN-MAC/CO/2, paras. 34–37)
Recommendations
MRG has recommended that the UN Human Rights Committee urge Macau, China to:
- Retract the editorial guidelines that undermine the editorial independence of journalists at the public broadcaster;
- Guarantee that the public broadcaster reports the diverse voices of Macau;
- Guarantee that the public broadcaster does not engage in suppressing or downplaying dissent; and
- Refrain from treating journalists as a potential threat to security.