On World Press Freedom Day, the European Union and the UNDP, in partnership with the National Parliament of Timor-Leste inaugurate the new media centre “Uma Komunikasaun –[...]

Dili, 3^rd May 2021

World Press Freedom Day is celebrating the important role played by journalists and is a reminder to governments across the globe of the need to promote access to quality information as a basic human right.

On this important day, the European Union, in partnership with UNDP, is pleased to hand over to the National Parliament a new, fully equipped, centre for the media, including video and IT equipment. Uma Komunikasaun will provide state of the art working conditions to media professionals covering Parliamentary affairs. Located within Parliament premises, it will allow Parliament to become more open, transparent and accessible for the Timorese citizens. Equipped with a pressroom, a space for press conferences and a radio studio, the building will allow journalists to provide accurate and timely information, thereby promoting a better understanding of parliamentary roles and functions.

Part of the handover is also the launch of a civic education campaign comprised of 20 videos to broadcast on TV and post on social media, along with a set of digital posts.

The civic education videos were produced by the National Parliament staff as part of an intensive training programme on video production, for which participants will receive diplomas after the inauguration. This training, combined with the video equipment provided by the European Union and UNDP, are key to establishing a video production house in the National Parliament, a stepping stone in the creation of the upcoming Parliament TV.

The European Union is very pleased that Parliament, in close collaboration with UNDP who steered the project, put the EU funds to an excellent use and built this Press Centre. It is not only beautiful with the colourful local material it is made of, it is a monument to freedom of information, human rights, and democracy.