Military

DATE=11/01/2000

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

NUMBER=5-47304

TITLE=East Timor Free Press

BYLINE=Nico Colombant

DATELINE=Washington

Content=

INTERNET=

INTRO: East Timor's top diplomat Jose Ramos-Horta says establishing an independent media in his homeland will be essential in building a democracy. Much of East Timor's media was destroyed following last year's vote for independence when pro-Indonesia militias went on a rampage. VOA'S Nico Colombant reports the East Timorese leader made his comment at a Washington meeting Wednesday.

TEXT: Mr. Ramos-Horta won the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to highlight human rights abuses in East Timor. He is currently foreign minister in East Timor's transition administration.

Now that East Timor is approaching independence, Mr. Ramos-Horta - a former journalist - told the World Press Freedom Committee he is working to help East Timor's young reporters develop their skills.

/// RAMOS-HORTA ACT 1 ///

As we build the democratic institutions for independence which probably will take place at the end of next year, at the same time, it is self-evident, there is no discussion, no debate about it, that a truly independent and democratic East Timor in the future will be dependent on having a truly independent and democratic media.

/// END ACT ///

East Timor's press is rebuilding from the ashes of the violence that came during the struggle to separate from Indonesia.

Indonesian forces invaded East Timor in 1975, shortly after the departure of the former colonial power Portugal.

Currently, there are several newspapers based in the capital Dili, including The Timor Post. The newspaper is a new version of the Suara Timor Timur, a former pro-Indonesian publication. Its offices were destroyed after the August 1999 vote for independence.

Australian journalist Bob Howarth, who has been to East Timor several times this year to help local reporters, says the media's role is crucial to dispel rumors and create national unity.

/// HOWARTH ACT ///

The local newspapers I think are the only out of any media that local people can trust that I've seen while I've been there. Plus they are all true patriots themselves - the reporters, the people who are working in the media.

/// END ACT ///

During last year's violence, broadcast transmitters of Indonesia's national television and radio were burned to the ground.

As the United Nations took charge to restore order, a vibrant media slowly took shape. Today, The Timor Post publishes six days a week in four languages - Portuguese, English, Bahassa Indonesia and Tetum, a local language.

The former guerrilla group, the National Liberation Armed Forces of East Timor (Falintil), set up a radio station, Vos Esperansa, or Voice of Hope that can be heard in Dili. The United Nations and the Roman Catholic Church also operate radio stations.

The chief editor of the Timor Post, Hugo da Costa, says that for the first time he considers himself a free journalist. The 29-year-old says that prior to the independence vote he was twice threatened by pro-Jakarta militias.

/// Da Costa Act ///

Before under Indonesia, we are professional journalists but we have to lie. Now is the time for us to show to the people that we are journalists.

/// End Act ///

But challenges remain in East Timor. The pro-Jakarta militias continue to operate in Indonesian-ruled West Timor where more than one-hundred thousand East Timorese refugees live in fear. There are also tensions in East Timor between the majority Roman Catholic population and its Muslim minority.

Dili-based freelance journalist Rosa Garcia says it is difficult in some parts of the territory to obtain information.

/// Garcia Act ///

It is difficult because people don't like to speak out if they see some problem. They are worried to speak out because we suspect that they are not free to give the information and it is also difficult for us to make (bring) information for people.

/// End Act ///

East Timor's foreign minister Ramos-Horta says he closely monitors the evolution of East Timor's press. He says it is important that all journalists avoid the pitfalls of intolerance and hatred.

/// Ramos-Horta Act #2 ///

I think our young aspiring journalists are doing a remarkable job but as I told them just be careful, check your facts, no allegations, no innuendoes against a single individual. Journalism is not a vendetta because as much as I support a completely free media I will support strong laws to protect privacy, to protect the right of individuals to be respected.

/// End Act ///

Mr. Ramos-Horta said he is very optimistic about building a free press in East Timor. In a draft declaration of principles for a new journalists' association, Mr. Ramos-Horta wrote : "Let a thousand newspapers and radio stations blossom".(Signed)

NEB/NC/PT