Dili, 06 April 2026 (Media Democracia) – In relation to World Press Freedom Day, which falls on May 3, 2026, the Department of Social Communication (DCS), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FCSP), held a seminar with the theme “The Role of Digital Journalism and National Development” for students of the Department of Social Communication (DCS), to enhance students skills and knowledge about the importance of digital media in contributing to the nation’s development process.
According to the Director of the Press Council, Alberico da Costa Junior, this seminar focuses on Press Freedom and freedom of expression the freedom to express what citizens say and publish in the media.
“In today’s seminar we really focused on press freedom and freedom of expression, these two go together. We have the freedom to express what we think, and the media has the freedom to express and report what Citizens say, then publish it. That’s what we talked about today regarding press freedom in Timor, because in 2023 we already entered the top 10, we were ahead of Australia and Korea and close to Europe. Then last year we dropped again, and now we’ve risen a little.” said Press Council Director Alberico da Costa Junior at the Auditorium, Kaikoli Campus, Dili (04/05/2026).
In addition, the Director added that when writing any news, one must still follow the guidelines, code of ethics, and always comply with the Social Communication Law. The media needs freedom in the newsroom, freedom to write something, but it is important to follow the guidelines and code of ethics and always comply with the Social Communication Law.
On the other hand, according to students of the Social Communication Department (DCS) Yusuf da Costa said he was proud to participate in this seminar, as it serves as motivation for students in the field of journalism on how to write news and understand the methods and functions of Press Freedom.
“In this seminar, what I learned relates to the material shared by my lecturers. It was really relevant to today’s seminar which talked about the Press Council, and it also links to the Speakers presentations. It was interesting to listen to it felt like motivation for students who want to be journalists in the future, on how to understand the methods and functions of Press Freedom.” said student Yusuf da Costa.
This seminar also explained the importance of digital journalism as an instrument for promoting democracy, transparency, and citizen participation in national development, and also discussed the challenges of online media such as hoaxes, disinformation, and the ethical responsibility of journalists in the digital era.
Report By: Trainees Novita Soares and Baquita Marcal
Photo By: Trainee Baquita Marcal