East Timor broadcaster joins Asiavision news exchange

08/26/2005 06:52:40 AM EDT

Text of report in English by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union website on 26 August

One of Asia's youngest broadcasters, Radio and Television Timor Leste, has joined the ABU's daily news exchange, Asiavision.

RTTL takes up its membership on 1 September. Its admission means the news exchange has members in 14 countries.

RTTL, the public broadcasting service of East Timor, was officially launched on the nation's full independence in May 2002.

It comprises a television service, Television Timor Leste (TVTL), which serves the capital, Dili, another transmitter in Baucau, and a national radio service.

TVTL produces about four hours of original programming per week. The remainder of the 14-hour broadcast day is made up of rebroadcasts from Portugal, Australia and the UK.

Asiavision members exchange news material by satellite every day of the year. The news exchange has two daily satellite feeds, one from 0830 to 0900 gmt and the other from 1215 to 1230 gmt.

Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union website, Kuala Lumpur, in English 26 Aug 05