National Director of Dissemination of Information Estevão da Costa Belo made the comment at a news briefing in Dili during which the government provided US$14,700 to the Community Information Centres for Sucos program.

Outside capital Dili, media access is challenging with print runs low, above all because of low literacy, the high price of newspapers compared with the average purchasing power, which is low, and the absence of provision for distribution across the country, a recent report by Reporters Without Borders says.

The Timor-Leste media landscape report, released in May, concluded that “technical difficulties and the lack of Internet access limit TV and online media’s reach into rural areas, leaving some inhabitants with no access to any form of media other than radio, which therefore plays a fundamental role.”

The funds will be distributed to heads of the Sucos of Rotuto, in the Municipality of Manufahi, José dos Santos, from Liça Dila, in the Municipality of Liquiça, Fernando Lobo, from Lore II, in the Municipality of Lautem, Armando de Jesus and Dato Tolu,  and João Agustinho Resi from for the Municipality of Covalima, according to a government statement.