Tatoli, formerly known as Timor-Leste News Agency (Portuguese: Agência Noticiosa de Timor-Leste (ANTIL)), is the official state runnews agency of East Timor. It was launched on 27 July 2016.[1] The word "Tatoli" is Tetum in origin, and means "to entrust someone (something/a message) to be passed on; passing on (something/a message) for someone".[2]
In 2012, it was announced that Portuguese news agency Lusa would carry out a feasibility study into the creation of an East Timorese news agency.[3] In 2013, Lusa presented a proposal for a suitable Portuguese-Timorese operating partnership.[4] The establishment of an East Timorese news agency was flagged in the Government Program in March 2015, and approved by the Council of Ministers on 3 February 2016.[1][5]
Timor-Leste News Agency (ANTIL) logo used from 2016 to 2017
When the agency was launched, the then Secretary of State for Social Communication, Nélio Isaac Sarmento [de], said that its main objective is not to compete with other media representatives, but to complement information based on data and facts, and therefore to be a reference to media bodies and professionals.[1] Upon its establishment, the agency became a member of the Alliance of Portuguese Language Information Agencies [de; pt] (Portuguese: Aliança das Agências de Informação de Língua Portuguesa (ALP)).[5] In 2017, it became a public institute, and changed its name to Tatoli.[6]
The agency offers its news service in four languages – Portuguese, English, Indonesian and Tetum, the national language of Timor – and also text, photo and video streaming services, including by interface for viewing on mobile platforms.[5]
