Dili, March 20, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Association of Journalists of Timor-Leste (AJTL) held a panel discussion on “Journalism, Media and Human Rights” to discuss journalist guidelines and field reporting. The event was held at the HAK Hall, Farol, on Tuesday.
According to the President of AJTL, Zeovonia Viera in her speech said that today’s activity was held to focus more on discussing inclusive journalism, digital rights, cybernetic law, and also the greatness of the media, including human rights.
“This activity is carried out in one year with the aim of providing training to four groups, so that they can increase their insight and capacity in carrying out good coverage in the newsroom related to human rights issues, women and children, including people with disabilities, and also marginalized groups such as LGBT.” Said the President of AJTL
She continued, how journalists can understand the importance of press freedom and freedom of expression in a democratic country, as well as laws that need to improve journalists’ knowledge and capacity when covering human rights issues.
“Today’s activity held by AJTL is a roundtable, inviting organizations that have various perspectives such as civil society organizations, and the government through SEKOMS, PDHJ, journalists and also the Press Council itself.” She said.
She added that this activity is very important because in a democratic country, we continue to plan and promote various issues, such as human rights and inclusive diversity in every newsroom.
“Monitoring from the Press Council is on journalist coverage related to important matters, so far the public is more concerned with journalist coverage that is not sensitive to important issues. Related to this issue, we want to invite important figures from the government who have politics to continue to fight for human rights in the digital and civil space.” She said firmly.
Explain better from the PDHJ side which has been fighting for human rights and justice, from civil society organizations, from women and children, people with disabilities, LGBT about how to reflect on behalf of the public regarding human rights information, so that the public can access what is happening in Timor-Leste.
On the other hand, Chairman of the Press Council Otelio Oté said that the activities held today were very good in order to provide information related to the protection of human rights, especially the right of every person to access information.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the RHTO for recognizing that the information we provide to journalists in carrying out our professional portfolio function has changed the sensitivity of journalists in producing news about information about people with disabilities.” Said the Chairman of the Press Council, Otelio Oté
He continued, in article 19 it is discussed about the human rights convention that everyone has the same rights in public, but in articles 40 and 41 to emphasize that article 19 is used to make presentations in various places about freedom of opinion and free expression and the press throughout the country.
“In Timor-Leste, everyone has the same rights as stated in articles 40 and 41 to be confirmed in article 19, most of our time was spent giving presentations in various places about human rights, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression and the press in our country. We also mentioned about our national leaders José Ramos Horta and Kayrala Xanana Gusmão who are the guideline for the media and journalists in Timor-Leste.” He said.
He emphasized that the formation of the Press Council aims to be a safe place for media and journalists in Timor-Leste and guarantee access to information for citizens.
Therefore, since the beginning of its establishment, the Press Council has begun to seek various ways to improve the capacity and knowledge of journalists on human rights from the perspective of the media in Timor-Leste. Asking all media to fight for the interests of the issue so that it can be covered so that it can provide information that can be well received by the public.
Reported by: Nelfiano
Picture by: Nelfiano