Internews Timor Leste

Pedro De Oliveira - President of Asosiasaun Radio Communidade Timor-Leste debates the importance of the inclusion of community radio journalists in the press law.

(March 12, 2004) Internews Timor-Leste held a workshop on media law reform for 34 print and radio journalists with legal advice provided by Timorese lawyers.

As the new country of Timor-Leste develops its own brand of democracy and governance, the media sector is advocating for the inclusion of contemporary principles of freedom of expression and a free media in line with commitments promised in the country's March 2002 Constitution.

Internews is assisting the media by facilitating an ongoing series of meetings and providing access to international advice and best practice media regulatory models in press law and broadcast legislation. This work builds on the 2003 Media Law Conference facilitated by Internews and the Asia Foundation.

A working group of journalists and legal consultants from a cross section of media outlets is drafting best practice media laws to present to Parliament and key community and media interest groups in Timor-Leste over the coming year.

Internews Timor Leste's activities are funded in large part by grants from the United States Agency for International Development. Pro-bono legal advice was provided by local legal aid agencies Ukun Rasik, Liberta Legal Aid and The Asia Foundation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Sico da Gary, Internews Timor Leste Assistant Chief of Party

Internews Timor Leste http://www.internews.org/regions/seasia/easttimor.htm