Dili, January 22, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Press Council signed an agreement with the National Communications Authority (ANC) to strengthen press freedom and freedom of expression in Timor-Leste. The event was held at the Press Council hall in Quintal-Bo’ot, Dili.
In an interview with the President of the Press Council, Otelio Ote said that the agreement signed by the two organs aims to further simplify the process of media registration mechanisms in the country.
“The first objective of the agreement signed by the two institutions is to carry out strong coordination in order to carry out good verification of the media that will be registered with the Press Council and also the media, especially Radio and Television registered with the ANC. The second objective is how to guarantee access to information for everyone, whether we forgive our radio and television, we ensure information institutions for everyone, therefore we know the Press Council so far also has a few technical problems on how to verify radio and television, regarding radio as previously signed to see better on this mechanism, we see that in one or two televisions that so far have not been registered with the Press Council because they still need a legal basis and also the correct rules or requirements and must confirm with the ANC,” he said.
He informed, see the requirements that must be met by radio and television when registering with the press council must go through the ANC, because the ANC will serve and identify these requirements, in the position of the press council only serves registration.
ANC President Flavio da Costa added that from the ANC side through this signed agreement, he said this is an important step for the Press Council and the ANC to see a better level in giving reasons for people who want to build media in Timor-Leste such as radio and television. The ANC’s task is on the technical side to serve and share aspects to media owners so that they can use them in their daily work.
“With the agreement that has been signed, I think the ANC will coordinate more with the Press Council to see whoever wants to carry out journalistic activities as an open media must go through the legal ways like registered in the Press Council, if the Press Council states that the media is worthy of being legalized, then the ANC is ready to see it from the technical side so that it can properly facilitate the media,” he said.
He continued, the ANC and the press council will further discuss the possibility of opening foreign radio and television in this country, with this both parties will collaborate to discuss this and will look for a good mechanism to build this country.
“Our goal in signing this agreement is to facilitate better media, so that people who access information can be safe and happy, not accessing information in a way that harms others, from the ANC side, we are very happy because we can work together with the Press Council to see the media, because now the development of the media is diverse so that some radio and television use live streaming. Therefore, in this development we can prepare and also have to find a mechanism from both parties, and how it can be implemented in this country.” He added.
He added that from the signed memorandum, it is hoped that the two institutions can work with the existing commitment to look at the media in the country and can collaborate well in the future and can create a good environment in the media sector.
Reported by : Domingas
Picture by : Domingas