Across Southeast Asia freedoms of expression have been backsliding, Timor-Leste has not escaped this regression. While the Constitution has rights guarantees, national laws however are inconsistent with the Constitution and the international standards to which it subscribes. With gaps that may lead to litigation or censorship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has proposed a number of laws—draft Criminal Defamation (2020) and Cybercrime Bill (2021)—in response to online criticism. Already hampered by poor telecommunication infrastructure and affordability, access to and the use of information by the public is set to be deterred even further. Thus, negatively affecting internet freedoms in the country.

Asia Centre is hosting a town-hall discussion on recent legal developments that may create a chilling effect on media and internet freedoms in Timor-Leste. It invites activists, journalists, lawyers and other interested parties for a dialogue where Asia Centre will present the preliminary findings of its research.