DILI, 05 september 2024 (TATOLI) – There are 485 national and foreign journalists registered to cover Pope Francis’s pastoral and state visits to Timor-Leste from September 9–11, 2024, according to Secretary of State for Social Communications (SECOMS), Expedito Dias Ximenes.
He clarified that the entire group of journalists comprised 85 journalists who traveled to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore with Pope Francis from the Vatican.
“There are 485 national and international journalists gathered to cover the Pope’s visit. There are 85 journalists who accompanied the Pope on the plane and 75 international journalists who registered online, as well as more than 300 national journalists (Timor-Leste),” Secretary of State for Social Communications, Expedito Dias Ximenes revealed in Motael, Dili.
Currently, six journalists from five national media outlets—SAPNews, Orluli, Loluwari, Mudança, and LABEH—have not yet finished the documentation required to obtain credentials, but they will be doing so shortly.
During the solemn mass at Tasitolu, Radio Television Timor Leste (RTTL) and National Media Group (GGMN) will be positioned in the north adjacent to the altar, and photojournalists will be provided with a platform with a height of 2.5 meters.
Additionally, national journalists will congregate in the Ministry of Transport and Communications office, which serves as the 200 Mbps internet-capable National Media Center.
He assured that media outlets will promptly spread images and information since all media are connected to the internet by telecom companies Telemor, Telkomcel, Timor Telecom, and Starlink.
In the locations the Pope visits, all telecom providers will shut down internet connections for all phones.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
