East Timor - Media

The new constitution provides for the freedom of speech and press and the government generally respects these rights in practice.

As of 2002, there were two daily newspapers, two weeklies, and several bulletin-type newspapers with sporadic publication and circulation. The government operates a radio station with nationwide reception and a television station that broadcasts only in Dili. There were six private radio stations in 2002 and a few community radio stations in development stages. In May 2002, legislation was passed to create a public broadcasting service.

Telecommunication services, which were cut off by the Indonesian government, are being restored through the help of Australian companies, one of which had established a cellular telephone network service. Another Australian company was installing a land telephone line network as of 2003. International communication authorities have approved an individual country code (670) for East Timor.