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The Dili Dialogue Forum 2023 Stresses Press Freedom as Driver for Human Rights
On 1 September 2023, the international Dili Dialogue Forum, organized by Timor-Leste’s Press Council, brought together over 100 participants in Dili, to strengthen press freedom in Southeast Asia, and promote it as the cornerstone of democracy and justice.
UNESCO contributed to the event alongside international experts and media organizations. The representatives of the Government of Timor-Leste, the national police, press councils from the region and academic institutions also attended the annual event.
Expedito Loro Dias Ximenes, Secretary of State for Social Communication (SECOMS), inaugurated the forum, together with the newly-elected Chairman of the Timor-Leste Press Council (CI) for 2023-2025, Otelio Ote.
Freedom of expression is guaranteed in Article 41 of the Constitution of Timor-Leste and the media law. Therefore, I believe that freedom of the press is not only important for a democratic society but also to promote the protection of other fundamental human rights. We collaborate with civil society to strengthen Timor-Leste’s media, in order to achieve Government’s goal of guaranteeing absolute press freedom and pluralism in the country.
This year’s Dili Dialogue Forum echoes the theme of the 2023 UNESCO World Press Freedom Day, which was celebrated on 3 May in New York at the UN headquarters, where members of the Timor-Leste Press Council also joined.
The Timor-Leste Press Council is committed to promoting and protecting the freedom of the press and freedom of expression from both political and economic influences, in line with the Journalists’ Code of Ethics and media law.
Global mechanisms to ensure the role of press councils in protecting human rights in Timor-Leste and Southeast Asia were presented, as well as government policies to ensure press freedom. The event highlighted the important role of media in ensuring human rights in Timor-Leste and ASEAN countries.
UNESCO works with duty bearers to enhance their capacities to uphold the international standards of freedom of expression, access to information and safety of journalists. Press councils play a critical role in coordinating with the judiciary and the police, to open investigations for crimes against journalists. They can also encourage public officials and the police to take media disputes to the press council rather than pressing charges under the criminal code.
UNESCO has supported the Dili Dialogue Forum since 2018 as part of the project on “Strengthening the Media’s Self-Regulatory Mechanisms in Timor-Leste”, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This project benefitted the Timor-Leste Press Council as well as over 2000 media actors, including young journalists and journalism students.
