ICFJ trainer Paula Rodrigues, right, helps student Melina Soares present the first live broadcast of Radio Akademika, TL's first university-run station.

The International Center for Journalists’ project in Dili, Timor-Leste, is working to develop a strong, professional and sustainable media sector. Goals include improving the ability of Timorese journalists to produce and disseminate high quality news and information to all citizens of Timor-Leste.

ICFJ is training current and future journalists as well as helping them to draft a comprehensive media law that will protect freedom of speech and freedom of information for print, broadcast and online journalists.

Since Timor-Leste became a nation in 2002, its fledgling news media has suffered crippling setbacks, including the violence that gripped the nation after Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri was forced to resign in June 2006 and a near-fatal attack on President Jose Ramos-Horta in February 2008.

During the 2006 violence RTTL, the national broadcaster, came under attack and the Timor Post ceased publication for several days when staff members fled the capital for safety in the nearby mountains.

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