New Semester begins at the National University

The new 2011 semester for the Social Communications degree program at the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) commenced on 15 February. At the beginnig of February, ICFJ convened a course instructors’ meeting where the instructors received guidance on course delivery, instruction time and other operational issues related to the program. Currently, there are five instructors teaching a total of 11 individual courses for the Social Communications degree program: Critical Thinking, Fundamentals of Journalism I: Writing Tetum, Reporting and Writing Basic Level 1, Ethics and Deontology of Journalism, History of Media, Theories of News, Photojournalism, Reporting and Writing Intermediate Level 1, Principles and Practices of Radio Journalism, Economics of Media, and Analysis of Media.

191 students are enrolled in the Social Communications program at the National University of Timor-Leste. The current semester ends in June 2011.

Media Law Training Sessions

Several training sessions on media law were conducted by ICFJ/IREX staffers during February. Media law adviser Sarah Harmelink and Media Law Coordinator Francisco Pinto held a two-day training session at the Center for Investigative Journalism (CJITL) in Dili. This session built on their previous trainings and focused on the media code of ethics.

The second training course was conducted at the Oecusse Media House on February 25 by Francisco Pinto and by Luis Evarsito from KOLKOS, the Timor-Leste Commission for Legislation for Social Communication. The primary objective of the training was to provide journalists with a deeper knowledge of the code of ethics and to broaden their understanding of their roles as professional journalists. The eight participants were Oecusse-based correspondents of four media outlets.

Media Law Coordinator Pinto provided additional training at the Center for Investigative Journalism in Dili on February 14 and 15. These were introductory sessions for a new group of CJITL students: as a sequel to trainings conducted in January, these additional sessions expanded on the previous presentations on the Code of Ethics for Journalists of Timor-Leste. A total of 17 participants attended.

USAID Evaluators visit ICFJ TL

Mark Koenig of USAID and Bob Howarth from Australian Business Volunteers conducted an evaluation of ICFJ’s program in Timor-Leste from January 31 through February 11. During their stay, the evaluators traveled to the Media Houses in Baucau and Ermera and also visited partner Community Radio Stations at both places. In addition, they met with ICFJ program partners and other stakeholders in Dili, and they visited the Independent Printing Press Timor-Leste, the National Press Center and the ICFJ TL office in Dili.

Community Radio Povo Viqueque

Community Radio Povo Viqueque has become the latest recipent of a grant from ICFJ’s Small Grants Program. SIMPTL Business Development Coordinator Antonio Soares processed the grant request. Following a thorough assessment and approval by the panel appointed by the SIMPTL Steering Committee, office furniture and technical equipment were delivered to the Viqueque Community Radio on 20 February.

Departures and Arrivals at the ICFJ TL Office

Sarah Harmelink, ICFJ/IREX Media Law adviser, left Dili on February 17 after completing her Australian Volunteers International (AVI) assignment. Sarah had been part of the ICFJ TL program since February 2010, and she was instrumental in providing ongoing training on Media Law matters. She also provided training on the media code of ethics and other legislative issues that revolve around the work of journalists in Timor-Leste. In addition to her training sessions in Dili with SIMPTL partner organizations, Sarah also conducted numerous trainings at the Regional Media Houses in the districts. We are grateful to Sarah for volunteering with the SIMPTL program, and to AVI for making her assignment possible.

Paulino Rosario do Carmo joined ICFJ TL on February 1 as a new translator at our office. In addition to his English-language skills, he is also proficient in the Portugues language and will be a most welcome addition to the project staff in Dili.

And last but by no means least: we are happy to welcome Bikila Merga as the new Country Director of the ICFJ SIMPTL program. Bikila has been with the program since September 2010, and in February he officially took over as Country Director from his predecessor, Chuck Rice. Chuck had been in charge of the SIMPTL program for more than two years. To Bikila, a very warm welcome, and to Chuck: many thanks indeed for his excellent work.