RTTL Technician Ximenes Babo showing ABC International Development representatives the control room.
Released 10 March 2023
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has signed an historic agreement with Radio e Televisoa de Timor-Leste (RTTL).
The agreement between the two public broadcasters allows for increased content sharing and media development programs.
It recognises both organisations' importance as cultural institutions and custodians of media archives, as well as the vital role they play in connecting and informing audiences and contributing to democracy.
RTTL President José Antonio Belo said: "This is an important moment for RTTL and ABC to cement the historic relationship and express our shared values.
"RTTL is happy to build on the spirit of friendship and collaboration and, in particular, to learn from ABC as we establish our English news service and channel."
ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: "The ABC is committed to working with RTTL, and the people of Timor-Leste, and to learning from each other as both organisations seek to better serve our audiences."
Background
The Memorandum of Understanding builds upon an existing strong relationship between the ABC and RTTL.
ABC Radio Australia has been available to Timorese audiences via FM radio for many years. More recently, ABC International Services entered a content sharing agreement for the distribution of ABC Australia and ABC Education content on RTTL digital platforms. This agreement was announced as part of RTTL's 20th anniversary celebrations in 2022.
ABC International Development has supported media development in Timor-Leste over the last decade, working with Timorese media to develop inclusive and diverse reporting processes, advising on reporting of natural disaster preparation, maintaining technical broadcasting equipment and conducting media training on accurate COVID-19 reporting and combatting misinformation.
Under the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, ABC International Services will work with RTTL to help it establish a news service for its new English-speaking channel, sharing content from the ABC newsrooms and working with RTTL staff to enhance their journalism and content making skills.
Other activities include establishing a network of Pacific journalists, with a local correspondent based in Dili, the syndication of ABC content to local media providers and a broader capacity-building program for Timor-Leste media and journalists' associations to build media craft skills.
In late 2022, a senior ABC International delegation visited Timor-Leste to acknowledge and strengthen the relationship between the public broadcasters in the lead-up to the signing of the MOU.
