DILI, 26 july 2021 (TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Communications (SECOMS) pays a courtesy visit to the ‘Consultancy Project of Portuguese Language for Future Journalists, at Comões Institute, in Dili.
Merício Juvinal dos Reis ‘Akara’ the State Secretary for Media assists the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Media, informed that the visit aims to see the progress, condition, and work of the Consultancy project of the Portuguese language for future journalists.
“Consultancy project of Portuguese language for future journalists is going to make a significant contribution to the development of the journalism in Timor-Leste. As I have seen it today for myself that they have enough space to run the training for these 20 future journalists. Today, the Portuguese Ambassador to Timor-Leste and I are here to ensure everything is adequate, in terms of facilities, and other relevant resources,” Akara made the comments during the visit at the site of the Consultancy project of Portuguese language for future journalists, in Dili, today.
He said the training was important for these 20 future journalists, saying not only increasing their Portuguese language skills but also improving their journalism skills.
“Previously, we have limited resources, but now we have up to 10 international trainers, who are working here to facilitate these young future journalists,” said Akara.
The Portuguese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, José Pedro Machado correspondingly thanked SECOMS for all support that had been given to the project.
“This project will contribute to perfecting the profession and skills of 20 future journalists which will contribute to the development of the nation, to keep the public well informed through high-quality journalism,” said Machado.
In addition, Elisia Ribeiro, a Portuguese trainer of the project said that several crucial subjects would be covered during the 13-months training – Portuguese Language, Foundations of Journalism, Journalistic Writing, Math for Journalists, National and International Institutions, and the General Knowledge, including Geography, History, Politics, and Culture General.
“During the first month of the training, we focus on leveling up their Portuguese language ability. So, the trainees are divided into two groups – lower and upper class. In August, we will join the two groups into a class,” said Ribeiro.
She said the trainees would be deployed as journalist interns to undertake journalist internships across several media institutions in the country, including print, online, and TV to put into practice all the knowledge that they would be learning during the year.
Besides, Sandra Fereira, another trainer of the project, said Timor-Leste is a young nation, saying it is still in the process of learning: “We are here to share with Timorese people our knowledge to better develop Timor-Leste’s journalism. Good journalism is important for strengthening the nation’s democracy.”
Relijanto Fatima Viana, a trainee of the project considered the training was a great opportunity for him to level up his journalist skills to be a good journalist in the future.
“My childhood dream is to be a journalist of Portuguese language, so I will use this opportunity wisely to make my dream come true,’ said Viana.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Rosario Borges
