Macau Concealers officially registered in Information Broadcast System after appeal

Macau (MNA) – After a lengthy appeal process, in April, Macau Concealers, a media platform associated with the New Macau Association (NMA), gained access to the official government portal run by the Government Information Bureau (GCS).

According to the release from Macau Concealers, the portal had initially been denied an application until November 9 by the director of GCS, Victor Chan Chi Ping, on the basis that the system would only serve daily, weekly and monthly newspapers, magazine, radio, television and other news entities which are regularly distributed.

Chan also wrote that the news entities registering with GCS need to be equipped with a ‘newsroom department’ or an ‘interview department’ and due to an increase of accounts in the system, it would be better to award it to entities which regularly carry out the coverage of news and current affairs.

Macau Concealers lodged a statement of objection to GCS on November 28, saying that this decision had infringed on freedom of speech and lacks a legal basis in violation of the Code of Administrative Procedure.

Chan, however dismissed the claims on December 11, suggesting Macau Concealers browsed the official websites for more information.

After this latest dismissal, Macau Concealers engaged lawyer Jorge Menezes to lodge an appeal with Chief Executive (CE), Fernando Chui Sai On, on December 28, detailing the unconstitutionality, illegality, impropriety and discriminatory nature of the decision, and criticising GCS for not providing any evidence for its claims.

The letter also criticised GCS for its claim that Macau Concealers could use the website to obtain sufficient information, adding that GCS should shut down the system if it was that useless.

Macau Concealers also asked the CE to order GCS to submit various documents, requesting that the CE should revoke the decision and order the re-approval of the application of related accounts.

This letter finally led to Mr. Chui Sai On to make the decision to revoke Chan’s decision just before the deadline which would have led to a tacit denial.

A week later, GCS approved Macau Concealer’s application to open two accounts.