All About Macao, one of the last independent voices in the region’s media landscape, has announced its closure amid mounting government pressure and a broader crackdown on civil society. The outlet, which had operated for 15 years, declared in a statement titled “Take care and goodbye” that its October 2025 issue would be its final publication, citing “increasing pressure and risks” as the driving force behind this difficult decision. The move marks a significant blow to press freedom in Macao, a territory that has long stood in the shadow of both mainland China and its more politically vibrant neighbor, Hong Kong.
The challenges facing All About Macao escalated dramatically earlier this year. In April, several of its reporters were arrested after being barred from attending sessions of Macao’s semi-democratic Legislative Council—a body that, until recently, had been open to the press. This incident signaled a chilling turn for journalism in the city, where access and transparency had already been eroding. According to statements from the outlet, these events, coupled with intensifying government criticism, led to a sharp decline in sponsorships and reader donations. With resources dwindling and no respite in sight, the editorial team felt they had “no choice but to make this difficult decision.”
The final blow came in early November, when the Macao government revoked All About Macao’s registration under the territory’s strict publications law. Officials asserted that the outlet “no longer meets the legal conditions to engage in relevant activities.” This administrative move effectively stripped the publication of its ability to operate legally, compounding the financial and operational pressures it already faced. The sequence of events has left observers deeply troubled about the future of independent journalism in Macao.
Beh Lih Yi, Asia-Pacific director for the Committee to Protect Journalists, described the closure as “a setback for press freedom and a highly troubling development.” She warned, “Macao is taking a page out of Beijing and Hong Kong authorities’ playbook.” Her comments reflect a growing consensus among media watchdogs that the territory’s media environment is deteriorating at an alarming rate, mirroring the restrictive measures seen elsewhere in the region.
Macao’s political and social context has always been distinct from Hong Kong’s. A former Portuguese colony handed over to Chinese rule in 1999, Macao has never experienced the same level of political activism or protest culture as its neighbor. The city’s economy is heavily reliant on casino tourism and investment from mainland China, and its political scene has generally been quieter and more tightly controlled. While Hong Kong famously defeated anti-sedition legislation in 2003 after massive protests, Macao adopted similar laws in 2009 with relatively little public resistance. This early adoption stifled the development of a significant pro-democracy movement in the territory.
However, the late 2010s saw a shift. Economic challenges and a widening wealth gap sparked growing public dissent, and activists in Macao began to share tactics with their counterparts in Hong Kong. Authorities responded with increasing alarm, particularly during the tumultuous events of 2019, when Hong Kong was rocked by months of often violent anti-government unrest. Macao police moved swiftly to crush solidarity protests, making it clear that such dissent would not be tolerated.
The tightening continued after Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on Hong Kong in 2020. Macao followed suit, expanding its own laws and adopting reforms that barred anyone deemed “unpatriotic” from standing in legislative elections. Ahead of the 2025 elections, a dozen candidates—including prominent pro-democracy figures—were disqualified under these new rules. This aggressive approach to political control has drawn international criticism and raised concerns about the future of civil liberties in the territory.
In July 2025, the crackdown reached a new milestone when Au Kam San, one of Macao’s longest-serving pro-democracy lawmakers, was arrested on national security charges. The European Union swiftly condemned the arrest, stating that it “adds to the existing concerns about the ongoing erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech” in Macao. Human Rights Watch’s Maya Wang was equally direct, saying Mr. Au’s arrest “reflected the broadening repression radiating from China to Hong Kong and Macao under Chinese leader Xi Jinping.”
The demise of All About Macao is part of a broader regional trend. In recent years, several independent Hong Kong publications—including Apple Daily and Stand News—have been forced to shut down under similar pressures. Two top editors from Stand News were jailed in 2024, further underscoring the risks faced by journalists who challenge official narratives. Meanwhile, the high-profile national security trial of Apple Daily publisher Jimmy Lai wrapped up arguments in August 2025, with a verdict still pending. If convicted, Lai could face a life sentence, a stark warning to anyone considering dissent.
The crackdown on independent media has not been limited to Chinese territories. Radio Free Asia, which produced politically sensitive content in Cantonese, was also forced to cease operations in the region this week. This move came after the Trump administration blocked congressionally-approved funding to the organization, as part of a broader effort to undermine the United States Agency for Global Media. The timing of Radio Free Asia’s shutdown—coinciding with the closure of All About Macao—has only heightened concerns about the shrinking space for independent journalism across the region.
For many observers, these developments are part of a deliberate and systematic campaign to silence critical voices and restrict the flow of information. The parallels between Macao and Hong Kong are striking, with both territories experiencing a rapid decline in press freedom and political pluralism. As Beh Lih Yi put it, “a swift deterioration in the media environment” is underway, threatening the very foundations of open society.
The closure of All About Macao leaves the region with even fewer independent sources of news and analysis, raising urgent questions about the future of civil society in the city. While Macao’s political culture has always been more subdued than Hong Kong’s, the events of recent years suggest that the space for dissent is shrinking fast. With the loss of yet another independent media outlet, residents are left with fewer avenues to hold power to account and to engage in meaningful public debate.
As the dust settles, the fate of All About Macao serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of press freedom in the face of sustained government pressure. The story of its closure is not just about one publication, but about the broader struggle for open discourse and democratic values in a region where such ideals are increasingly under threat.
