In April 2005, after five years in the country, international media NGO Internews was winding up its training program in Timor. Local Internews staff, some of whom had been with Internews Timor for several years, decided to establish the Timor-Leste Media Development Centre (TLMDC) to close the gap left by Internews’ departure.

Runnning timornewsline.com is just one of TLMDC’s current activities.

Since 2005, TLMDC has also been training Timorese journalists and editors; producing radio current affairs and documentary programs for district and national radio; acting as a resource centre and net café for journalists and the general public; and working with local media organisations such as the Association of Community Radio Stations (ARKTL), which is based at the TLMDC office in Dili.