Macau Daily Times, the newspaper, turned 17 years old on June 1st, with a new vigor, a firm stance, and the same goal as on day one: to inform and engage our community of English language native or bilingual speakers toward a better understanding of current affairs in Macau, Greater China, the Asia-Pacific, and major world affairs.
After over three years of harsh times, due mainly to the pandemic of COVID-19, we stood tall in the universe of SMEs – never giving up on our mission, while getting no support and being neglected as such. Some sponsors, mainly in the gaming sector, at a point, noticed and came to “our rescue” as they understood our role in an international cosmopolitan city. The government also eventually woke up with understanding for our place in this historical melting pot that is this little-big town of ours.
Back to the future is what matters now.
Difficult days lie ahead in an environment that challenges, to say the least, a full expression of our fundamental rights, namely the right to inform and be informed. We are wary of what happened with the possible censorship of Patua “recita maquista” as well as the lack of transparency in the EPM’s imbroglio, which is still unfolding.
Hopeful winds blow from the Greater Bay Area, and we have been proactively contributing to bringing news and critical thinking on this major political plan to our audience.
At 17, nobody should be surprised if we are modern, bold, or even a tad rebellious. As The Beatles sang: “Well, she was just seventeen / If you know what I mean … / Why should I dance with another?”
Oh, we feel at home – why should we dance with another?
Opinion by Paulo Coutinho
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