The Secretary of State for Social Communication (Portuguese acronym SECOMS) asked the Press Council to act independently and not give in to political and economic influence from individuals or groups, when taking decisions on journalistic content.
The Secretary of State, Nélio Isaac Sarmento, took this standpoint, while speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the Executive Director of the Press Council, Ana Teresa Sequeira, on July 12th, 2016, in Dili. Ana Teresa Sequeira was sworn in by the President of the Press Council, Virgílio Guterres, in the presence of other members of that regulatory body.
“The Press Council is a new body of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Its specific activity is media regulation, providing solution or opinions to all entities on media contents,” said the Secretary of State.
He also emphasized that the President of the Press Council and other members must work hard to carry this institution forward and the Executive Director should facilitate the work of the Press Council Presidency. He also suggested that the President should address the overall situation in the media, including the field of journalism training in Timor-Leste.
The Secretary of State for Social Communication has taken responsibility for supporting the Press Council activity.
On his part, Virgílio Guterres said he will use every resource, legal and professional, to facilitate the Director’s work and to lead the executive of the Press Council. He thanked SECOMS support in the Council building process and hoped to continue to receive technical support from the Secretariat of State.
On her part, Ana Teresa Sequeira thanked the Press Council members for the confidence displayed by this important assignment. Ana Teresa Sequeira promised to use all her time and ability to lead the Press Council team and to get good results in her daily work, “I will do my utmost and I will apply all my abilities to contribute to the development of the Press Council of Timor-Leste.”
The Press Council not only provides formal and legal assistance, but also aims to help to improve public understanding of the role of media in a democratic country.
The Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Victor Maia, the Ambassador of Portugal in Timor-Leste, Manuel Gonçalves de Jesus, the vicar of the Diocese of Dili, Priest Juvito de Araújo, Media owners and directors, journalists and officials from the Secretariat of State for Social Communication attended this ceremony.