East Timor

(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has hailed the reopening of the investigation into the death of TV cameraman Brian Peters, a member of a group of five journalists of Australian, New Zealand and British nationality who were killed by Indonesian soldiers and paramilitaries in East Timor in October 1975. “This new investigation 30 years after […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 19 December 2006 IFJ press release: “Time for justice” 30 years after deaths of Balibo five journalists in East Timor The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supports calls from Australian affiliate, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (the Alliance), for full cooperation in an upcoming coroner’s inquest into the […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – A local Agence France-Presse (AFP) stringer, Nelson da Cruz, was struck in the face with a stone thrown by an unidentified youth while on his way to report a riot in Dili on 9 November 2006. Da Cruz, who is also a journalist with Television of Timor-Leste (TVTL), was about to drive three […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 3 July 2006 IFJ media release: IFJ condemns attack on Radio and Television of East Timor The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked at reports of an attack on Radio e Televisao de Timor-Leste (RTTL), the public broadcasting service, on Wednesday June 28, and continued threats on the […]

(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has urged the authorities and foreign forces in East Timor to secure the offices of the main media outlet after nearly 40 opposition militants raided Timor-Leste television and radio station TVTL, on 29 June 2006. They ransacked the premises, manhandled employees and demanded that broadcasts be suspended. The management has […]

(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has condemned a physical attack on 12 June 2006 on two employees of the “Timor Post” outside its premises in the capital, Dili. The newspaper, the country’s leading independent daily, had previously received threats from supporters of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri. A Timorese reporter working for the Associated Press was […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ concerned by reports of deteriorating situation for journalists in East Timor The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has renewed its concerns for the East Timorese media after recent reports of journalists becoming internally displaced persons after their houses were burnt down during continued violence in […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ concerned violence in East Timor has undermined media reporting The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned that the recent violence in East Timor has undermined the media’s ability to cover the political and social crisis as two daily newspapers have had their publishing interrupted […]

(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 10 March 2006 IPI letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan: H. E. Kofi Annan Secretary-General United Nations New York, NY 10017 USA Fax: +1-212-963 48 79 Vienna, 10 March 2006 Your Excellency, The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, leading journalists and media executives in […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Crucial last days for East Timor president to veto criminal defamation in East Timor The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written to the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, calling for a veto of the penal code proposed by the […]

(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an IPI letter to East Timorese President H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao: H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao President of Timor-Leste C/o Embassy of Timor-Leste to the United States of America 4201 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, D.C 20008 USA Fax: 202 966 3205 Vienna, 12 January 2006 Your Excellency, The International […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA has expressed alarm over the media situation in East Timor after Prime Minister Mari Altakiri signed an executive decree approving a penal code that criminalises defamation. On 6 December 2005, government spokesman Rui Flores issued a statement saying the penal code drafted by the Ministry of Justice had already been signed by […]

(SEAPA/IFEX) – East Timor’s Land and Property Department has ordered the country’s major and oldest local daily, “Suara Timor Lorosae”, to leave its present premises in the capital of Dili within 60 days. Local media outlets believe that the move is in retaliation for the newspaper’s constant criticism of the government. SEAPA sources in Dili […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the East Timor government’s expulsion of Australian freelance journalist Julian King even though a court in Dili had cleared him of charges brought by the police. On 28 June 2004, King was deported to Australia on order of the Interior Ministry. This is the first major press freedom violation since […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed concern over the arrest and detention of Australian investigative journalist Julian King, who has been threatened with legal action and expulsion. On 6 May 2004, police arrested the freelance journalist close to his home in the capital, Dili. He was held for two days in the central police station. Police […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 7 November 2002 CPJ press release: EAST TIMOR INDICTS TWO INDONESIAN MILITARY OFFICERS FOR MURDER OF DUTCH JOURNALIST New York, November 7, 2002-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomes yesterday’s indictment in East Timor of two suspected murderers of Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes, who was killed in Dili on […]