PRESIDENT RAMOS-HORTA MESSAGE FOR WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
Dear Friends of the Press, Journalists, Media Professionals, and Fellow Citizens of Timor-Leste,
Today, as we commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2025, I extend my warmest greetings to all journalists, media professionals, and advocates of free expression in Timor-Leste and globally, who uphold the essential pillars of democracy through their commitment to truth, transparency, and information integrity.
Our nation’s journey to independence was chronicled by brave journalists who risked their lives to share our struggle with the world. Their courage reminds us that press freedom is not merely a principle but a hard-won right that demands continuous protection and nurturing.
In Timor-Leste, we have made remarkable progress in nurturing an independent media landscape. Our journalists work tirelessly, often under challenging circumstances, to inform our citizens and hold power to account. Their dedication deserves not only our recognition but our unwavering protection.
Yet across the globe, we witness concerning trends. Journalists face unprecedented threats—from physical violence and intimidation to digital surveillance and disinformation campaigns. The rise of artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and challenges for media integrity. Each attack on press freedom is an attack on our collective right to truth.
I call upon all sectors of society to recognize that a free press serves all of us. When journalists can work without fear, societies prosper with knowledge and understanding.
As we reflect on this important day, let us remember that press freedom is not an abstract ideal but a living practice that requires constant vigilance and support. The pen, indeed, remains mightier than the sword, but only when we ensure its bearers can write without fear or favor.
On this World Press Freedom Day, I extend my gratitude to all journalists and media professionals whose work strengthens our national dialogue and keeps our citizens informed. May your commitment to truth continue to illuminate our path forward.
Viva Timor-Leste! Viva Press Freedom!
J. RAMOS-HORTA
President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Laureate
PREZIDENTE RAMOS-HORTA NIA MENSAJEN BA LORON MUNDIAL LIBERDADE IMPRENSA
Belun sira husi Imprensa, Jornalista, Profisionál Média, no Sidadaun Timor-Leste,
Ohin, bainhira ita komemora Loron Mundial Liberdade Imprensa 2025, ha’u hato’o ha’u-nia saudasaun kmanek ba jornalista sira hotu, profisionál média sira, no defensór ba liberdade espresaun sira iha Timor-Leste no iha mundu tomak, ne’ebé tane aas pilar esensiál sira demokrasia nian liuhusi sira-nia kompromisu ba lia-loos, transparénsia, no integridade informasaun nian.
Ita-nia nasaun nia viajen ba independénsia hakerek husi jornalista barani sira ne’ebé arriska sira-nia moris atu partilla ita-nia luta ba mundu. Sira-nia korajen fó hanoin mai ita katak liberdade imprensa la’ós de’it prinsípiu ida maibé direitu ida ne’ebé manán ho susar no ezije protesaun no kuidadu kontínua.
Iha Timor-Leste, ita halo ona progresu notavel iha dezenvolvimentu panorama média independente ida. Ita-nia jornalista sira servisu la hatene kolen, dala barak iha sirkuństánsia dezafiante, hodi informa ita-nia sidadaun sira no responsabiliza podérozu. Sira-nia dedikasaun merese la’ós de’it ita-nia rekoñesimentu maibé ita-nia protesaun ne’ebé metin.
Maibé iha mundu tomak, ita haree tendénsia ne’ebé preokupante. Jornalista sira hasoru ameasa boot liu—husi violénsia fízika no intimidasaun to’o vijilánsia dijitál no kampaña dezinformasaun. Ezistensia intelijénsia artifisiál aprezenta oportunidade no dezafiu ba integridade média. Atake ida-idak ba liberdade imprensa mak atake ba ita-nia direitu koletivu ba lia-loos.
Ha’u husu ba setór hotu sosiedade nian atu rekoñese katak imprensa livre serve ita hotu. Bainhira jornalista sira bele servisu la ho ta’uk, sosiedade sira buras ho koñesimentu no komprensaun.
Bainhira ita refleta kona-ba loron importante ida-ne’e, mai ita hanoin katak liberdade imprensa la’ós ideál abstratu maibé prátika moris ida ne’ebé ezije vijilánsia no apoiu konstante. Kaneta de facto, sei forte liu surik, so bainhira ita asegura katak nia portadór sira bele hakerek sein tauk ka favoritizmu.
Iha Loron Mundial Liberdade Imprensa ida-ne’e, ha’u hato’o ha’u-nia gratidaun ba jornalista no profisionál mídia sira hotu ne’ebé sira-nia servisu fortalese ita-nia diálogu nasionál no mantein ita-nia sidadaun sira informadu. Hein katak Iimi-nia kompromisu ba lia-loos kontinua ilumina ita-nia dalan ba oin.
Viva Timor-Leste! Viva Liberdade Imprensa!
J. RAMOS-HORTA
Prezidente Timor-Leste no Laureadu Nobel ba Pás