Chairperson of AJTL, bullied by certain netizens on social media after criticising PM Xanana regarding the incident at the Presidential Palace

Just a few days after the incident, the AJTL chair made a statement, saying the Prime Minister should not shout and get angry with journalists as it is considered to be a threat to freedom of the press in Timor-Leste. This situation has made this female journalist afraid to question anything regarding public issues.

On the other hand, insult and hate speech against AJTL Chairperson on social media is an act to kill character of the country’s journalists when criticising those in power, especially when they use their authority to threaten the country’s journalists.
The country’s journalists, especially female journalists, were also at risk because they have to face people bullying and insulting them on social media. This situation would make female journalist afraid of raising investigative questions from a journalist's perspective of journalist.