DILI, 29 october 2021 (TATOLI) – The Press Council of Timor-Leste (PCTL) called on Timorese journalists to follow in the footsteps of the British and Timorese journalist Max Stahl.
CITL made the comments following the demise of Max Stahl on october 28, at Princess Alexandra Hospital, in Brisbane, Australia.
“Max Stahl has taught us about courage, love, bravery, and spirit. So, Timorese journalists need to keep up this kind of courage and spirit,” Virgílio da Silva Guterres, the President of PCTL told reporters during a press conference held at PCTL’s Conference Hall, in Dili, on thursday.
He said during Covid-19, many journalists had demonstrated their bravery and good spirit by risking their own lives to keep reporting and informing the public about the Covid-19 situation in the country.
“During mandatory confinement (lockdown) most people stayed at home, but journalists kept informing the public about the epidemiological situation in Timor-Leste. So, we have seen such kind of courage and bravery among the Timorese journalists. There will be challenges facing Timorese journalists with unexpected events in the future. Thus, Timorese journalists need to keep learning and improving themselves to face any tough challenge in the future,” said Guterres.
In addition, Expedito Dias Ximenes, one of the members of the PCTL urged Timorese journalists to be a great messenger like Max Stahl.
“Max Stahl is a true hero and deserved great respect and honor from Timorese people as his footage and images marked a significant turning point in Timor-Leste’s struggle. The footage drew the attention of many around the globe. This is because he was such a great messenger,” Ximenes said.
Timor-Leste’s former President and Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta said the spread of Max Stahl’s footage and images was the first time Timor-Leste’s message broke through to the world.
Max Stahl’s footage, taken as Indonesian soldiers fired the bullets on thousands of young Timorese people, marching towards Santa Cruz Cemetery, brought the suffering of the Timor-Leste population to the world.
After returning to Timor-Leste, in 1999, Max Stahl fell in love with the country and stayed until leaving the country for having treatment in Australia, where he breathed his last breath.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
