Macau’s largest newspaper questions crime data transparency shift

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Macau’s largest newspaper questions crime data transparency shift

By Aries Un

Macau’s most dominant Chinese-language media outlet, Macao Daily News, has run an article expressing concern over a significant shift by security authorities in how crime statistics will be communicated to the public.

According to a recent notice from the Office of the Secretary for Security, or GSS, the long-standing practice of holding quarterly press conferences has come to an end.

This tradition is now being replaced by a digital-first approach.

What did the new GSS announcement say?

According to the notice dated 28 April, the regular dissemination of crime data and work reports will be processed electronically to enhance “information transparency” from that day forward.

Face-to-face press briefings will henceforth be held only as circumstances require, it added.

The office believes this approach transition will achieve a greater level of information interconnection and “heart-to-heart communication”.

What did Macao Daily say in its report?

The Macao Daily journalist titled his article with a question asking whether such media conferences would “become history.”

The newspaper added that this GSS move may in reality have closed “one of the few remaining windows for dialogue with the outside world.”

These press conferences, as the report continued, served not only as a venue for releasing crime data but also as a “vital channel” for residents to communicate with the authorities and to “oversee the effectiveness of law enforcement.”

Furthermore, Macao Daily also criticised some phrases adopted by the office, emphasising a massive contradiction between the government’s purported stance and its actual actions.

“This so-called ‘digital transparency’ might provide detailed data and organised tables, but there is a lack of follow-up questions from reporters and immediate answers from officials,” the article went on.

“Without that face-to-face interaction and the exchange of ideas, it is easy for the media and the public to start making unnecessary guesses.”

The piece continued, “When the government chooses to cut off media communication and avoids interacting with journalists, it might seem like an easy way to avoid tough questions. However, they have also closed the door on clearing up misunderstandings and maintaining public trust.”

https://macaubusiness.com/macaus-largest-newspaper-questions-crime-data-transparency-shift/

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