Gusmao threatens to arrest East Timor media

The Australian


Mark Dodd | January 18, 2008

EAST Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has threatened to arrest
local journalists, claiming inaccurate news reporting in the troubled
territory is contributing to national instability.

Mr Gusmao told reporters they faced arrest if they persisted with
reporting as fact rumours and other unsourced claims.

The former president and veteran pro-independence leader slammed
local media over recent interviews with Major Alfredo Reinado, an
army rebel and key figure in the 2006 unrest that brought the tiny
nation to the brink of civil war.

"You have to exercise more responsibility towards the environment of
stability or instab-ility," he said.

"We (government) close our eyes when in the cause of small and big
things (stories) you go and interview Alfredo (Reinado).

"Perhaps because of these things, instability may emerge in the
country - because of you - (so) we will arrest you."

Mr Gusmao said 2008 was a year of reform in East Timor and that would
include the local media. The Australian understands Mr Gusmao was
particularly incensed by false reports that two people had been
killed during civil unrest in the Caicoli neighbourhood in Dili.

"The TV and radio report that people have died, and you (media) just
report it without going and asking," Mr Gusmao said. "If we talk
about reforming society, we must also talk about reforming you (media)."