MELBOURNE — Nine young East Timorese community radio workers arrived here on August 31 as part of a month-long training program hosted by 3CR community radio. Coming from six Timorese radio stations, they will be trained in radio skills.

Community radio is spreading in Timor as a result of high illiteracy and the isolation of many communities from other forms of media. Many are sceptical of the government-run media.

Eurico Pereira, head of the delegation, represents Radio Rakambia in Dili which spun out of the Student Solidarity Council, an organisation distinguished by its organising and engaging in large public meetings with the people across East Timor demanding independence in 1998. Pereira is also the head of a new community media association in East Timor.

Radio Rakambia has covered issues such as the impact of low coffee prices on peasants and the outcome of the Timor trials in Indonesia.

From Green Left Weekly, September 11, 2002.
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