19 July 2012 Last updated at 07:33 ET

East Timor profile

East Timorese youths read newspaper headline reporting Jose Ramos-Horta's 2007 election win Few East Timorese regularly read newspapers

Radio is the most popular medium. State-run Radio Television Timor-Leste launched in 2002. Public radio is said to reach some 90% of the population; public TV has a smaller coverage.

Community radios are on air, often with funding from international agencies and NGOs.

East Timor has a handful of daily and weekly press titles. Economic and physical factors, as well as high rates of illiteracy, limit readership.

Journalists often practice self-censorship, US-based Freedom House reported in 2011.

BBC World Service is available in Dili via BBC 105.9 FM. There are FM relays of Portuguese and Australian radio.

East Timor had around 2,300 internet users by December 2011 (InternetWorldStats.com).

The press/internet

Television

  • Televisao de Timor-Leste (TVTL) - public

Radio

  • Radio Nacional de Timor-Leste (RTL) - public
  • Radio Falintil/Voz da Esperanca - community station which began life as a clandestine station operated by East Timor rebels
  • Radio Timor Kmanek (RTK) - Catholic Church radio

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