Dili, 09/03/2022 –The National Press Council, supported by UNDP, handed over a manual “National Guidelines for Journalists and Media on Election Reporting” to national journalists and launched media buses to support the coverage on the Presidential Election 2022.

On March 14^th, the National Press Council and UNDP, handed over a manual “National Guidelines for Journalists and Media on Election Reporting” and launched media buses at the National Press Council. The electoral reporting guidelines were developed under the UNDP COVID-Resilient Elections in Timor-Leste (CORE-TL) project in cooperation with the National Press Council, in order to ensure that all citizens have access to right and fair information about the forthcoming elections as well as COVID-19 prevention measures throughout the electoral cycle. In addition, a launch of three media buses was announced at the event, the busses will be operated during the Presidential Election on March 19 to support the wider coverage of electoral operations in 12 municipalities.

“Media is an important actor for the successful election. To ensure the voters can make informed decisions, voters should have access to fair and right, and wide coverage information on political parties and candidates they are voting for. Especially the presidential election is going to be carried out under the COVID situation. In such a case, the Electoral Reporting Guideline ensures the journalists and media to address the principles of peace journalists, responsible reporting about inclusive politics and COVID prevention measures for the elections.” addressed by Ms. Munkhtuya Altangerel, UNDP Resident Representative.

“It is delightful to see that UNDP and the National Press Council worked together to organize the media buses despite the limited timeframe. Values that Japan and Timor-Leste share such as democracy, rule of law and human rights do not take root overnight, and neither do they establish themselves on their own. Same applies to the key principles that must be upheld by the journalists. Work must continue to review, refine and further develop the guidelines so that they will become established rules to be shared by all journalists.” stated by Ms. Kazumi Yamada, Deputy of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste

The UNDP CORE-TL project promotes the COVID-safe, informative and inclusive elections at national and municipality levels. The project is funded USD 4 million from the Government of Japan, and USD 360 thousand from the Government of Timor-Leste.

For further details, please contact the UNDP’s official in charge at:

Mariano Redondo – Communication Specialist, UNDP CORE-TL Project: 77566742