Media Alert

President of Timor Leste, Dr. Ramos-Horta has conducted an official visit to Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil since 18 January 2008.

According to the plan, the head of State who also accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zacarias Albano da Costa, will return to the country on Sunday, February, 3, 2008.

After arriving at the Prezidente Nicolao Lobato International Airport, Ramos-Horta will conduct a Press Conference to inform to the media about this visit.

Therefore, we would like to invite all journalists from various media to participate on this press conference that will be held on the President Nicolao Lobato International Airport’s conference room at around 12.30 pm

For more information please contact Ana Mota and Joel Maria PereiraInformation/Media officer Phone : 670 723 0160

Case of Abused Journalist Under Investigation

CJITL - A PNTL member of the Transition Unit who beat and used his pistol to threaten an AFP journalist, Nelson da Cruz, is under investigation. The United Nations Police Spokesperson, Benjamin Osuji, stated in a press conference held on 31 Jan, said that the case was under investigation. (STL 1/Feb/08)

RETRACTION- No offer of money from UNDP to TLPC

The story printed yesterday claiming that the Untied Nations Development Program (UNDP) was to provide USD800,000 worth of funding for a project to purchase newspapers from the Timor-Leste Press Club (TLPC) has been retracted due to serious errors in the article. The Coordinator of Timor-Leste Media Independent Development Initiative Project, Miguel Caldera, has corrected the story stating that no such arrangement has been made between TLPC and UNDP. During the meeting between TLPC and UNDP, from which the erroneous article was based upon, discussions were had over possible UNDP support for all media in the nation. No specific finances were discussed. (Timor Post 31/01/08)

TLPC sends protest letter to PNTL

Journalists from the Timor-Leste Press Club (TLPC) sent a protest letter yesterday to the PNTL Commander, Afonso de Jesus, claiming that members of the PNTL had used undue and unwarranted force in beating one TLPC member, Nelson da Cruz. The PNTL had also threatened the AFP Journalist with a gun. The protest letter was signed by the President of TLPC, Domingos Saldanha and the Secretary-General of TLPC, Paulino Quintas.
“We understand that while Nelson da Cruz had broken a rule, he should not have been physically abused. There are other ways of resolving this conflict,” said the letter. The protest letter had also requested that the PNTL members conduct themselves with professionalism. (STL 31/01/08)

Earthquake Situation Report

At 4.32pm on Wednesday the 30th of January 2008 a 6.2 Magnitude earthquake occurred approximately 130 kilometres North East of Lautem District at sea. Indonesia Geological and Meteorological Agency issued a Tsunami Alert after their instruments near the earthquake epicentre (location) recorded 6.6 Magnitude earthquak. Under Indonesian protocol if an earthquake at sea is near 7 Magnitude, a Tsunami Alert is issued. The Disaster Operations Centre confirmed with Tsunami early warning agencies in the region that this earthquake was not likely to produce a tsunami and no Tsunami Alert was issued. The Secretary of State for Social Assistance and Natural Disasters issued a live statement at TVTL and Radio Studio’s at 6pm this evening to confirm there was no tsunami and assist in correcting any misinformation that may create any community fears.

Earthquake Details

Report all emergencies to the Police National Operations Centre by phoning 112 or your local police station. The Disaster Operations Centre can also be contacted by e-mail at; doc.ndmd@gmail.com


The Disaster Operations Centre’s is in development to assist the people of Timor-Leste to coordinate information and responses to reduce disaster and crisis risk. The Disaster Operation Centre is supported by technical and donor development assistance from the following organisations:

· Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Timor-Leste
· UNMIT Integrated Humanitarian Coordination Team, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
· Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
· Australian Bureau of Meteorology through the International Security Force (ISF)
· Communications and Public Information Office, United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT)

The 15th anniversary of Suara Timor Lorosa’e (STL)

CJITL – Suara Timor Lorosa’e (STL) will commemorate its 15th anniversary on Friday, Feb. 1 with a grand luncheon in STL’s compound in the Fatumeta district of Dili.

Justino (Ino) told CJITL that STL began publication on Feb. 1, 1993. He said that through this celebration STL wants to tell the public that it will continue to provide a comprehensive, impartial news report while upholding freedom of the press.

He said STL has begun distributing nearly 900 free newspapers to all districts, delivering two copies to each village. The distribution is being done by STL, Tempo Semanal and Diário Naçional thanks to funds provided by the government to the Timor-Leste Press Club organization.

Rosa Garcia, a Timor Post senior journalist, told CJITL that the press club’s program to distribute free newspapers to the districts may hurt sales of the Timor Post in those areas. The Timor Post chose not to participate in the distribution program for fear of compromising its independence.

In CJITL’s online survey of newspapers’ readers, the Timor Post was the top choice of 44 percent of respondents, followed by STL, the choice of 33 percent; Diário Naçional, chosen by11 percent; and Semanário, 5 percent. Among 18 respondents.