DILI, 17 november 2021 ( TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Social Communication (SECOMS), Mericio Juvinal “Akara” urged Timor-Leste’s media to maintain the independence of editorial.
“I recommend all the media in Timor-Leste to maintain the independence of editorial to be trusted by the public because the public wishes to receive the accurate and credible information from journalists,” Akara told reporters in the SECOMS ‘s office at Palace Government today.
SECOMS is concerned about the issue because soon Timor-Leste will step into the 2022 presidential and 2023 legislative elections.
Therefore SECOMS asks the owners of private media and the Government’s media to maintain the independence of editorial.
“I ask the media owners and the journalists to cover the party’s activities fairly and independently, to ensure the trust of the public,” said Akara.
Akara at the same time appealed to the leaders of the political party to avoid interfering with the media’s editorials since every media has an Editorial Independent.
“I ask the political party leaders not to use the national media for the interest of the party, let them report the information of party ‘s activities independently, I also appeal to all media and journalists not to accept the bribes cash from any party to cover their activities to affect the credibility of the media in Timor – Leste,” He said.
The role of the media is very crucial in Timor – Leste because through the media all information will be covered by journalists and transmitted to the public.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges
