Government takes part in inauguration ceremony of new members of Timor-Leste Press Club
The Secretary of State for the Media, Nélio Isaac Sarmento, took part in the inauguration ceremony of the members of Timor-Leste Press Club for the period 2013-2016. The ceremony took place on May 2, 2013 in Balibó, Bobonaro district, under the theme “The position of journalists in the construction of Timor-Leste”, taking also advantage of the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
Nélio Isaac Sarmento stressed the fact the objective of Timor-Leste Press Club is to unite and value more and more the Timorese journalists. The Secretary of State for the Media stated also that “the 3rd of May marks the World Press Freedom Day. When we commemorate this or other world day, we should always bear in mind two things: what happened in the past as well as the daily commitment of executing the tasks”.
The Secretary of State for the Media asked for more dedication and attention in the programming exercise. He equally underlined the importance of the capacity building programme for journalists and the defence of the profession, while also reiterating his conviction that the existence of quality media bodies makes a country stronger.
José Belo, President of the Timor-Leste Press Club, stated that “as leaders of the Timor-Leste Press Club from 2013 to 2016 we are going to do our best to meet the demands and attend to the concerns of the public, particularly as regards the mission and the rights of the journalists are concerned. We are very pleased to know that the Government, on behalf of the State, encourages freedom of the press in this country”.
The Administrator of Balibó sub-district, Paulo dos Santos, stated that the population of that sub-district is thirsty of news and considers the event to be an innovating initiative, which reminds of the role of the Australian journalists who died there. Paulo dos Santos also informed that it would be important to build a monument in memory of the five Australian journalists so that the next generations may get to know their story.
In attendance at the ceremony were, apart from the Secretary of State for the Media, the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment Policy, Ilídio Ximenes da Costa, the Secretary of State for Security, Francisco Guterres, the Administrator of Balibó sub-district and Father Andreas Nahak.
