Code of Ethics

1. Accuracy

i) We have a duty not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.

ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and – where appropriate – an apology published.

iii) In our reporting we must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.

2. Opportunity to reply

i) A fair opportunity for reply to inaccuracies must be given when reasonably called for.

3. Fairness

i) Our goal must be to cover the news impartially and to treat readers, news sources, advertisers and others fairly and openly.

ii) We are an independent and unbiased online publication that strives to maintain the highest standards of journalistic ethics.

iii) We will not plagiarise.

iv) While our website is supported by paid advertising, our coverage of news items will not be shaped by commercial considerations.

4. Macau’s Press Law

i) We strive to adhere to the terms of Macau’s Press Law. On June 3, 2010, the government of Macau announced that the 20-year old Press Law and also the Broadcasting Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) would be revised in the following few years. That process is still ongoing.

ii) See here for the Press Law. Law 7/1990

iii) See here for the Broadcasting Law. Law 9/1989

[both texts available in Portuguese and Chinese]

5. Privacy

i) Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications.

6. Clandestine devices and subterfuge

i) We must not seek to obtain or publish material acquired by using hidden cameras or clandestine listening devices; or by intercepting private or mobile telephone calls, messages or emails; or by the unauthorised removal of documents or photographs; or by accessing digitally-held private information without consent.

ii) Engaging in misrepresentation or subterfuge, including by agents or intermediaries, can generally be justified only in the public interest and then only when the material cannot be obtained by other means.

7. Discrimination

i) We must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual’s race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.

ii) Details of an individual’s race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental illness or disability must be avoided unless genuinely relevant to the story.

8. Financial journalism

i) Even in jurisdictions where the law does not prohibit it, we must not use for our own profit financial information we receive in advance of its general publication, nor should we pass such information to others.

ii) We must not write about shares or securities in cases where we or our close family hold those shares or have a financial interest in that company. It may be permissible for us to write about such shares provided that an interest is declared to the readers.

iii) We must not buy or sell, either directly or through nominees or agents, shares or securities about which we have recently written, or about which we intend to write in the near future.

9. Confidential sources

i) Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information.

ii) We will not however grant anonymity to people who are engaged in financial speculation or to people who use anonymity as cover for a personal or partisan attack.

iii) We will observe the principle of identifying sources by name and title where possible. When that is not possible, we will explain why we feel it is justified to use anonymous sources. Anonymity must not be automatic or an assumed condition.