quarta-feira, 9 de Julho de 2014 Taur Matan Ruak minder gets it wrong, says journalist - Ted McDonnell replies to Fidelis Magalhaes Dear Fidelis, Thank you for getting back to me. I truly appreciate your response. However, a couple of points: 1. It is very difficult for international/foreign journalists to access transcripts and footage from East Timor, particularly when time is of the essence. 2. My comments on freedom of speech and democracy will be judged by whether the President promulgates the new restrictive media laws. 3. The media is already under a very tight leash in East Timor. Some media outlets that go along with the current government get advertising; others get left out to punish them. This is a fact. 4. Access to your President and Ministers of the government is very important for local media; but even more so for foreign journalists given the worldwide interest in East Timor. 5. To say, the President will not be available to the media until next May is incredibly restrictive and gives the impression that the President cannot comment on matters of public interest between now and May 2015? That makes no sense in a democratic nation. 6. Corruption, finances and poverty in East Timor is of worldwide interest. The matters relating to those people of the Prosecutors Investigation list is something the President should be able to comment on without interference from minders or ‘third parties’. 7. East Timor is a great nation, made up of wonderful human beings. Their freedom and futures is what is important to me. I look forward to meeting you when I visit East Timor as a journalist or possibly tourist later in the year. Ted McDonnell Journalist Award Winning Photojournalist Melbourne, Australia EMAILS EXCHANGED BETWEEN FIDELIS MAGALHAES AND TED MCDONNELL Fidelis Magalhaes: Great. Having read some your comments I think you will need to stay abit longer in Timor Leste to understand more in-depth how our system works. Your sweeping assertions are borderline with accusations. I think a longer visit to Timor Leste would certainly help. Count on me if you ever need assistance with that. I cannot help but to read your comments with a smile on my face. Lets reserve the discussion for when you actually visit. I must admit that I really enjoy this exchange! Best regards. Fidelis Magalhaes Chefe da Casa Civil da Presidencia da Republica /Presidential Chief of Staff Palacio Nicolau Lobato, Dili Ted McDonnell: Fidelis, “Sweeping assertions”… where do you get off and how dare you question my professional integrity! I spent six months working on my latest feature for The Australian; and months working on the American feature on East Timor. I have been to East Timor probably 10 - 15 times over the last fives years. I speak to people on the ground, “… read your comments with a smile on your face…” My god… where do you get off, mate! Ted McDonnell Journalist & Photojournalist Related: Taur Matan Ruak silenced by minders– Letter to Fidelis Magalhães from an international journalist There is no attempt to ban information in the country – Fidelis Magalhaes replies to the international journalist
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:07:32 +0000
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