DILI, 03 may 2024 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s ranking in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 20 out of 180 countries, according to the latest report released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Last year, Timor-Leste was ranked 10th in the World Press Freedom Index.
Timor-Leste’s Press Freedom Index for 2024 has decreased by 5.57 points from 84.49 in 2023 to 78.92 this year. But, this score still falls under the category of relatively free.
The RSF report said Journalists are usually free to report the news and are rarely the targets of harassment or physical attacks. However, they are exposed to many forms of pressure that limit their freedom, including legal proceedings, intimidation, police violence and public denigration of the media by politicians.
“No journalist has ever been jailed in connection with their work in Timor-Leste, but the 2014 media law is a permanent threat hanging over journalists and encourages self-censorship,” said the RSF report.
With many publications in the Tetum language, Portuguese, and even English, including the leading weeklies Timor Post and Dili Post, and the dailies Suara Timor-Lorosae and Independente, the country’s media are among the freest in the region. Radio Televisaun Timor-Leste is the main broadcaster. Many online media have been created, including a news agency called TATOLI which competes with the traditional media. The Press Council and the Journalists’ Association organize training and have their own fact-checking body, which is backed by the United Nations Development Program.
Among ASEAN countries, the RSF 2022 World Press Freedom Index placed Thailand at 87th, Malaysia at 107th, Indonesia at 111th, Brunei at 117th, Singapore at 126th, Philippines at 134th, Cambodia at 151st, Myanmar at 171st, Laos at 153rd and Vietnam at 174th.
This year, Norway (1st) Denmark (2nd), Sweden (3rd), Netherlands (4th), Finland (5th), Estonia (6th), Portugal (7th), Ireland (8th), Switzerland (9th), and Germany (10th) occupied the top 10 positions meanwhile Eritrea occupied the bottom of the list of the 180 countries and territories ranked by the Reporters Without Borders.
The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta asked the relevant entities to “reflect” on the results of the report released by RSF: “The Press Council and journalists should reflect on what led Timor-Leste to fall from 10th to 20th place.”
The Head of State expressed his disappointment with any possible government interference in the editorials of the media, saying this could limit press freedom in the country: “We have to leave the media free to carry out their duties. It’s better for the government to concentrate on its work. If any of the news published isn’t true, we can send a letter of protest to correct it.”
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
