"Muzzling the messenger" in Timor-Leste

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"Ever since gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has boasted one of Asia’s freest presses. Its media exposed the mismanagement of state funds, corruption and other scandals involving government employees. But this freedom could come to an abrupt end if the parliament endorses a new law to regulate the media.

"The act has come under fierce criticism from human-rights organisations, civil society and journalists’ unions. It makes it compulsory for local and international journalists to be accredited by a government-sponsored press council. Although nominally the law enshrines the freedom of the press, it also tries to control who can qualify as a journalist."

Read the blog post by I.S. in The Economist.

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