![](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/east-timor-1024x512.png)
![](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/asia-philippines-nujp-press-freedom-attacks-journalists-768x511.jpg)
Six Southeast Asian journalist organizations collaborate to safeguard press freedom
The regional conference was themed “Strengthening collaboration, defending press freedom in Southeast Asia”.
![](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/east-timor-journalist-raimundos-oki-defamation-case-getty-768x511.jpg)
East Timor authorities investigate journalist Raimundos Oki over reporting on alleged police abuses
Journalist Raimundos Oki is under investigation for violating judicial secrecy laws over his reporting on alleged police abuses.
![](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/timor-leste-defamation-journalist-protest-getty-768x511.jpg)
Timor-Leste plans to restore criminal defamation law amid concerns about its free speech impact
The Minister of Justice has proposed to restore criminal defamation in the country’s penal code that was removed when the government adopted a new Press Code in 2014.
![A television shows tallies for the district electoral commission in Dili, East Timor, 17 April 2012, SONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP/Getty Images](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/east-timor-leste-tv-getty.jpg)
Timor-Leste Press Council warns against political interference in media
The chairperson of Timor-Leste’s public television network was allegedly removed for rejecting political meddling.
![Journalists Lourenco Martins, center front, and Raimundos Oki, center rear, sit on the dock during their trial at a court in Dili, East Timor, 1 June 2017, AP Photo/Kandhi Barnez](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/east-timor-journalists-trial-prime-minister-ap.jpg)
Victory in Timor
Sometimes it’s the little things that make for big victories. Such is the case in East Timor, where charges against two journalists were dropped following an international outcry.
![Supporters of presidential candidate Francisco Guterres of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN) party cheer at a campaign rally, in Tasi Tolu, Dili, East Timor, 17 March 2017, REUTERS/Lirio da Fonseca](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/east-timor-election-march-reuters.jpg)
Free but poor: Challenges to the media in covering the 2017 Timor Leste elections
As Timor-Leste conducts its fourth regular national elections, the country’s free but resource-poor media is challenged to provide a fair coverage of an increasingly complex political context.
![Timor Post/Facebook](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/east_timor_post_paper_facebook_cropped.jpg)
Global media groups call on Timor Leste PM to drop defamation case
The IFJ and the South East Asia Journalist Unions (SEAJU) join international organisations the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Freedom House in calling on the Timor Leste Prime Minister to withdraw the criminal defamation case against the “Timor Post”, a journalist and a former editor.
![In this 1 October 2015 photo, Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo speaks during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters, AP Photo/Julie Jacobson](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/easttimor_primeminister_ap.jpg)
Timor Leste prime minister files defamation suit against journalist
Article 8 of the Timor Leste Press Law clearly protects the work of journalists, and states “The right of journalists to report shall be exercised on the basis of constitutional powers, may not be subjected to interference that threatens their independence and objectivity, freedom of establishment, and freedom of conscience.”
![Placards stuck to banners stand outside the Glebe Coroner's Court in Sydney, 8 May 2007, where the inquest into the death of journalist Brian Peters was held, REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA)](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/indonesia_eastimor_balibo_reuters.jpg)
Australian journalists remembered 40 years after their murder in East Timor
The IFJ and MEAA commemorated the 40th anniversary of the killing of the Balibo Five, with the establishment of a scholarship to develop journalism skills in East Timor. The five young Australian journalists were killed in East Timor by Indonesian military troops after witnessing an incursion by Indonesian soldiers.
![Reporters look on as East Timor's new Prime Minister Rui Araujo (L) shakes hands with President Taur Matan Ruak (R) at an innauguration ceremony at the President's office in Dili, 16 February 2015, REUTERS/Lirio Da Fonseca](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/east_timor_media_reuters.jpg)
Media freedom and regulation in Timor Leste
While no journalist has been jailed for their work, press freedom and journalist safety in Timor-Leste are constantly under threat, mostly from politicians. Moreover, a new Press Law has been in place since the beginning of 2015.
![Link to: Elements of East Timor’s proposed new media law found to be unconstitutional](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Elements of East Timor’s proposed new media law found to be unconstitutional
MEAA, the trade union and industry advocate for Australia’s journalists, condemns the East Timor government’s proposed new media law that will have a chilling effect on press freedom across the country.
![East Timor's President Taur Matan Ruak is urged not to sign a new media law unless revisions are made (pictured in Lisbon on 20 September 2013), REUTERS/Hugo Correia](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/easttimor_president_reuters.jpg)
East Timor urged to revise repressive media law
East Timor’s president should refuse to sign a new media law until parliament revises provisions that will chill free speech, Human Rights Watch said. The Court of Appeal is reviewing the law’s constitutionality in response to a request by the president.
![Link to: Veto the new media law in Timor, says Pacific Freedom Forum](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Veto the new media law in Timor, says Pacific Freedom Forum
The new media law in Timor-Leste should be vetoed by the country’s President, agrees the Pacific Freedom Forum. The new law risks returning the young country to colonial style repression, it is feared.
![Link to: East Timor ratifies media law, targets citizen journalism](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
East Timor ratifies media law, targets citizen journalism
The East Timorese government has been criticised after a media law was ratified on 7 May 2014, which seeks to regulate the media by imposing restrictions on journalists.