Homage to the five Australian journalists killed in Balibó
The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers and Media, Matias Boavida, attended the ceremony organized by the Timor-Leste Journalists Association (AJTL) to honour the five Australian journalists killed in Balibó in October 1975 during Indonesian military operations that preceded the occupation. The initiative took place on October 21, 2017, at the border town where the massacre occurred.
The Secretary of State stressed that this ceremony was aimed at honouring these journalists who, by sacrificing their lives, helped divulge the Timorese struggle around the world. Matias Boavida also stressed the importance of the information and the work developed by journalists, "which has no borders".
AJTL President David Hugo also paid tribute to the five journalists and, on behalf of the Association, delivered food to a struggling Timorese widow.
Present at the ceremony were the Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers and Social Communication, local authorities, the Police Commander of the Municipality of Balibó and representatives of the community.
