One of the biggest events during May was ICFJ’s launch of the first-ever journalism style guide in Timor-Leste, entitled Mata Dalan ba Jornalista Sira. The style guide aims to help journalists write and produce their stories using standardized Tetum by adhering to a system established by the National Institute of Linguistics in Dili.

The 72-page book contains a glossary of journalism terms, spelling of common words and names in Tetum, names of sucos (villages) and districts of the country, and a Code of Ethics for journalists.

More than 40 people, most of them journalists, turned out for the afternoon launch of the new book, the first publication of its kind in Tetum (one of the two official languages in Timor-Leste).

The finishing touches are being placed on the new Media House in Maubisse, scheduled to open formally on June 4th. Unlike the other five media houses, ICFJ - in partnership with the community - is establishing a community radio station, Maubisse Mauloko – which translates as ‘Maubisse Love’.

ICFJ staffer Fernando da Silva, who is from Maubisse, has been overseeing the project. During May, he and members of the community set up a 12-meter high tower for the FM broadcast antenna. The antenna will ensure that the entire community of Maubisse will be able to hear the station. Test broadcasts have indicated the station can be heard up to 15 kilometers away from Maubisse.

The media house / radio station sits near the center of the Maubisse: between the busy local market and the Catholic Church. It’s a good location and was chosen in large part to ensure that the local community is able to fully engage with their new facility.

During the test broadcasts, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Peter Christophersen stopped by the station on May 23rd and did a short interview with da Silva who was manning the controls.

The new coordinator for the new Maubisse Media House / Radio Station is Joaquim Coutinho. He speaks the local dialect, having grown up just one hour from Maubisse. He studied Social and Political Science at the National University.

Since his appointment to the post, Coutinho has been working closely with National Media House Coordinator Clementino Amaral, learning the ropes of managing a media house.

In addition to the radio station, the media house will contain a training room and a work area for journalists. It will also have internet access.

The Maubisse Media House is one of six facilities that have been opened by ICFJ in Timor-Leste. The other media houses are located in Suai, Baucau, Oecusse, Dili and Ermera.

Radio Akademika at the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) returned to the air in May after a two-month absence. The UNTL campus radio station was unable to operate because there was no air conditioning. ICFJ pitched in and installed new air conditioning units, after the university said it was uncertain when it would be able to repair the central AC system.

ICFJ Vice President Patrick Butler was in Brazil at the end of May and met with University of Sao Paulo representatives about partnering with ICFJ in Timor-Leste. USP has shown great interest in working with ICFJ on the development of a curriculum for a four-year Social Communications degree program at the National University of Timor-Leste.

ICFJ consultants Kleto Nascimento and Emanuel Braz continue to meet regularly with UNTL’s Social Communications coordinator Filomeno Fernandes.

ICFJ instructors at UNTL are putting the wraps on the first semester of 2010. Classes are to wrap up in early June, with the next semester resuming in early July. However, some of the second year Social Communications students aren’t going to take a break: instead, they are working with ICFJ journalism trainer Chloe Adams on their writing skills. These informal classes got underway on May 31st.

Also during May, ICFJ has been assisting the four Journalism Associations and the Syndicate of Journalists in their plans to purchase of a property for the establishment of a National Press Center. The land has been identified, and now ICFJ is waiting for a survey of the property.

ICFJ’s Antonio Soares departed on May 31st for Surabaya where he will search for an inexpensive supplier of newspaper print and ink. Soares had attempted to locate a low-cost distributor via telephone, but was unable to find suitable prices. ICFJ is purchasing a three-month supply of paper and ink for the recently purchased printing press, which will be operated by three independent newspapers: The Dili Weekly, Klaak, and Timor Post. During this three month period, ICFJ will set up and test the equipment and begin to print newspapers. After the initial three-month period, the three papers will themselves purchase news print and ink. Once the printing press is operational, it will be a commercial, ‘for-profit’ business.

The Center for Journalism Investigations Timor-Leste marked the first anniversary of the launch of its website www.cjitl.org on May 26th by showing the film “Balibo” to about 20 young people interested in journalism. ICFJ’s Chuck Rice told the students that they are the future journalists of Timor-Leste and he encouraged them to stick with journalism.

Media law advisor Sarah Harmelink conducted a training session for the second year Social Communications students at UNTL on constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression. In addition, she and media law coordinator Francisco Pinto are developing a long-term training program which will enable Pinto to continue the media legal training module for years to come. In relation to the draft media laws, work is continuing on shaping a new draft that protects the rights of journalists and allows access to information.