DILI, 03 May 2025 (TATOLI)—In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, the Portuguese Embassy in Timor-Leste organized a roundtable discussion today to honor the lives and contributions of journalists Jill Jolliffe and Max Stahl.
During the discussion, Sister Guilhermina Marçal emphasized that journalists serve as the voices of the voiceless, highlighting the significant role Jolliffe and Stahl played in Timor-Leste’s struggle for independence.
“I believe that journalists are the voice of the voiceless. Jill Jolliffe and Max Stahl contributed to the national liberation of Timor-Leste, and on this World Press Freedom Day, we must honor their contributions to our country’s independence,” she stated.
Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), Virgílio Guterres, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Today, we gather to pay tribute to both journalists, Jill Jolliffe and Max Stahl, who played a crucial role in our path to independence. Our tribute is also an act of international solidarity.”
Similarly, Maria Domingas Alves emphasized the importance of Timorese journalists learning from foreign journalists. “Today, we honor them as part of international solidarity, recognizing their dedication and contributions to Timor-Leste’s independence,” she said.
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation adopted at UNESCO’s 26th General Conference in 1991. This decision was a response to a call from African journalists who, in 1991, drafted the landmark Windhoek Declaration.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
