East Timor

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 1 September 1999 CPJ letter addressed to President B. J. Habibie expressing CPJ’s concern for the safety of journalists in East Timor: **New cases and update to IFEX alerts of 1 September, 27 August, 26 August and 25 August 1999** For more information regarding the issues raised in this […]

(AJI/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Defense General Wiranto, AJI has expressed its concern over the violence perpetrated by pro-autonomy militias against journalists covering the campaign leading up to the direct ballot and the ballot itself, which has restricted journalists’ ability to gather information. According to AJI, militias have not only restricted journalists’ […]

(PINA/IFEX) – A 60 Minutes television crew from Australia’s Nine Network was deported from East Timor on 31 August 1999, Fiji”s “Daily Post” newspaper reported on 1 September (local time). The newspaper said that Indonesian police detained the crew on 30 August after they were found to have entered East Timor on tourist visas and […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 27 August 1999 IFJ media release: Media Release Journalists call for safety in Timor The International Federation of Journalists has called on the Indonesian and Australian Governments to take all steps to ensure the safety of all journalists and other media workers in East Timor. This follows reports that […]

(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: **For background on cases mentioned see IFEX alerts of 26 August, 25 August, 3 June, 31 May, 25 May, 10 May and 21 April 1999 and others** 30 August 1999 – Referendum in East Timor RSF says pro-Jakarta militia and the Indonesian army have sabotaged free […]

(PINA/IFEX) – On 27 August 1999 (local date), the “Sydney Morning Herald” reported that more journalists were attacked as they tried to cover attacks in the East Timorese capital, Dili, by pro-Indonesian militia. The newspaper, which has staff in East Timor, said: “Several foreign media representatives were attacked when they went to an area of […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: Media Release 5 August 1999 IFJ Safety Programme Launches Safety Office For Journalists and Media Staff in East Timor The International Federation of Journalists and two of its key Asian affiliates – the Alliance of Independent Journalists in Indonesia and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance […]

(AJI/IFEX) – AJI strongly criticises the suggestion made by The East Timor People’s Front (BRTT), who requested that the regional office of the Department of Information prohibit the distribution of four alternative media in East Timor, as reported in the “Voice of East Timor” daily newspaper on 22 June 1999. In an editorial entitled “BRTT […]

(PINA/IFEX) – Indonesia’s Information Minister has declined to comment on new accusations he played a direct role in the killing of five Australian-based newsmen during the 1975 invasion of East Timor, the “Sydney Morning Herald” reported on 24 June 1999 (local time). A spokeswoman for Information Minister Yunus Yosfiah told the “Herald” in Jakarta that […]

(PINA/IFEX) – A former pro-Indonesian militia commander claims the Indonesian Information Minister, Yunus Yosfiah, had a direct role in the killing of five newsmen during the 1975 invasion of East Timor, the “Sydney Morning Herald” reported on 21 June 1999. The “Sydney Morning Herald” report was written by Jill Jolliffe, an Australian freelance writer who […]

(PINA/IFEX) – The United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) has begun broadcasting news and feature reports in four languages, Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported on 14 June 1999. The news agency said the broadcasts enable the United Nations to talk directly to the East Timorese, who are scheduled to vote on 8 August […]

(PINA/IFEX) – Threats to kill Australian journalists and United Nations (UN) staff in East Timor have been condemned by the UN mission there, the “Sydney Morning Herald” reported on 1 June 1999 (local date). David Wimhurst, spokesman for the UN Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), said the UN would demand that Indonesian police arrest […]

(PINA/IFEX) – A senior Indonesian minister has shrugged off deep frustration within his own government over news media reporting of violence in East Timor, Australia’s “Sydney Morning Herald” reported on 29 May 1999 (local time). It quoted Indonesia’s Information Minister, Yunus Yosfiah, as saying Indonesia would not currently be facing a series of crises if […]

(PINA/IFEX) – Indonesian and Australian journalists’ organisations plan to open a media safety office in East Timor, Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported on 25 May 1999. It comes amidst continuing threats to journalists trying to cover growing violence in East Timor in the lead up to a referendum on possible independence from Indonesia. **Updates IFEX […]

(PINA/IFEX) – International journalists are again reporting that they are being forcibly stopped from going to areas in East Timor where there are reports of new killings by pro-Indonesian forces. On 18 May 1999, Australian Associated Press (AAP) correspondent John Martinkus said attempts by journalists and relief workers to reach the areas were stopped at […]

(PINA/IFEX) – Overseas journalists attempting to cover a renewed rampage by pro-Indonesia militiamen in the East Timorese capital, Dili, were attacked and threatened, the “Sydney Morning Herald” reported on 10 May 1999. Groups of foreign journalists, including Australians, were stoned and ran for their lives when they entered the market area a short time after […]