European journalists association condemns detention of local reporters

The Society of European Journalists & Communication Professionals in Asia (JOCPA) has condemned the detention of two journalists from All About Macau, calling the act a “serious threat to press freedom and the right to information in Macau.”

The journalists were detained last Thursday by the Public Security Police (PSP) after being denied entry to cover the presentation of the 2025 Policy Address by the Secretary for Administration and Justice, André Cheong, on allegations of “disrupting and obstructing the legislature” and “illegal filming.”

In its official statement, JOCPA stressed that the reporters were “fulfilling their professional duty” by seeking access to a public legislative session, which it described as “an event of clear public interest.”

Josep Solano, president of the Society of European Journalists & Communication Professionals in Asia (JOCPA), described the incident as “a grave attack on press freedom” and a “warning sign of growing authoritarianism in the region.”

The group urges Macau authorities to “drop all charges against the journalists, ensure their safety, and immediately restore full access to public institutions for all accredited media outlets, regardless of their format or frequency of publication.” Staff Reporter