Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), said his government is to defend media freedom here on Monday.

Addressing a gala party held by the Federation of Journalists in Macao, Ho said that the city has entered a new development phase in which the media has to face both opportunities and challenges.

He hailed the efforts made by the media circle to help the government improve its administrative transparency.

The chief executive also eulogized the local press workers for their dedication to the development of Macao's media industry.

The Federation of Journalists in Macao was founded in 1968.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2007)