Dili, 3 May 2025 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, Virgílio da Silva Guterres ‘Lamukan’, participated as a guest speaker at a ceremony commemorating World Press Freedom Day, hosted by the Embassy of Portugal in Dili. The event, themed “Journalism of Causes – The Case of Timor-Leste,” honored the legacy of renowned journalists Max Stahl and Jill Jolliffe, who played significant roles in documenting the struggle for Timor-Leste’s independence.
In his speech, the Ombudsman reflected on the contributions and sacrifices made by these journalists, alongside other media professionals who gave their lives in the pursuit of truth, notably the five journalists killed in Balibo.
“Max Stahl and Jill Jolliffe are iconic figures who demonstrated that journalism is not just a profession—it’s a mission. Despite threats and limitations, they persisted, using various channels to expose the truth, even when facing powerful military regimes. Their work reminds us that journalism requires sacrifice, not privilege,” said the Ombudsman.
He emphasized that journalists like Max and Jill never sought personal gain or protection from political power. Instead, they stood firm in the pursuit of facts, believing that journalism serves the public good. The deaths of the five journalists in Balibo, he added, laid the foundation for Timor-Leste’s press freedom.
Concerns over Press Freedom in Timor-Leste
While honoring the legacy of past journalists, the Ombudsman also raised concerns about the current state of press freedom in Timor-Leste. He pointed to the country’s decline in the press freedom index—from 20th to 39th position—attributed to growing government interference in media coverage.
“We’ve seen journalists face pressure from state actors, including incidents involving police, the SEATOU unit, and interference from the Secretary of State for Social Communication during public events,” he noted. “There have also been troubling notifications from the Public Prosecutor’s Office to journalists from the Independente newspaper.”
These incidents, he said, illustrate an emerging trend of restricting journalistic freedom, particularly during coverage of sensitive issues such as forced evictions.
“If the Prime Minister refuses to answer journalists’ questions, that is his choice. But no one—especially not the Secretary of State for Communication—should block journalists from asking questions. It is unacceptable in a democracy,” he warned.
Journalists Must Defend the Truth
The Ombudsman urged journalists to remain vigilant, ethical, and committed to truth-telling, especially in a time when political, economic, and legal forces increasingly challenge press independence.
“Max Stahl, Jill Jolliffe, and others who came before us proved that being a journalist means choosing to defend the truth, not parties or leaders. That’s a journalist’s duty,” he said. “We must not forget that both the Social Communication Law and the Constitution of Timor-Leste uphold this responsibility.”
He warned that editorial independence in many media companies is under threat, with some editorial decisions being influenced by the financial or political interests of media owners rather than by journalistic ethics.
“Even as some political actors attempt to limit journalists’ work—as we saw recently when a government official discouraged questions from the press—journalists must persist,” he said. “Such actions are direct threats to press freedom.”
A Message for the New Generation of Journalists
Closing his remarks, the Ombudsman offered guidance to the new generation of journalists working in today’s fast-paced digital era.
“We are no longer under the control of the Press Council. Now, as Ombudsman, I encourage young journalists: don’t rush to be first; be accurate instead. Take time to gather facts, verify sources, and report responsibly,” he said. “Speed may win clicks, but facts build trust.”
He concluded by reaffirming his support for a free and independent press in Timor-Leste and encouraged all media professionals to continue defending democratic values through journalism grounded in truth.
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