SoSCM promotes workshop for editors and journalists as a means of training
The Secretariat of State of the Council of Ministers (SoSCM) organised a workshop on "Year 2012, the professionalization of media services in Timor-Leste". During three days, from February 20-22, Timorese editors and journalists gathered at the Excelsior Hotel in Díli, to attend this workshop aimed at developing the education and training of journalists which is an important element in the process of rebuilding Timor-Leste.
Agio Pereira, Secretary of State for Council of Ministers, was not able to be present, however, he prepared a message that was read by the Chairman of the Organising Committee at the opening session. This message read: "I would like to thank all the journalists and other media professionals at this event, and I am confident that it will represent an opportunity for all to reflect on the role of media in our society. On the Government side, as you know, the National Policy for the Media, adopted in 2010, defends, as pillars of action with regard to this sector, dissemination of information to and from the districts, regulates relations between journalists and the public and provides for the rigorous training of professionals and media representatives".
The message continued with Agio Pereira stating that: "Everything will be done so that we may have an independent and pluralistic media, able to support the building of our democratic State and contribute to the existence of an increasingly informed national community with respect for their cultural values".
President of the National Parliament, Fernando Lasama de Araújo, in his speech during the opening ceremony, also stated that "the training of journalists and editors is important for them, but also for any society, as well as for Timor-Leste in which is in the process of construction of the nation State, "meaning that" this event meets the Program of the IV Constitutional Government, approved by the National Parliament in September 2007, which gives priority to human resources and the training incorporated in it".
The first session, addressed by the Secretary of State for Energy Policy, Avelino Coelho, elaborated on the theme speaking on: "Briefing the media in building the country during the National Development and Democracy", which was followed by Bambang Harymurti, director of the Indonesian newspaper “Tempo” and former member of the Indonesian Press Club, under the theme: "Requirement of professionalism of journalists and the role of media in social control".
In the afternoon, the workshop included activities divided into two groups: the editors and journalists, under the guidance of Bambang Harymurti and Atmakusuma Astraatmadja, former member of the Indonesian Press Club.
This workshop was attended by directors of national media, representatives of the Department of Social Communication from UNTL, journalist associations, non-governmental organisations, Government media officers, the Director-General of the State Council of Ministers, Victor Maia, a representative Affairs and Cooperation from UNTL, Lizinha Correia.
