A voice for East Timorese youth
SYDNEY — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos Horta recently cancelled an appearance on Channel 9's Midday show to appear on the Freedom Chants radio show, inspiring East Timorese youth to continue the struggle for freedom.
Due to the generosity of Gadigal Koori Radio, Freedom Chants (FM 94.5) has begun its seventh test transmission in Sydney on Sundays, 8-10pm, until August 2. 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly's JOHN GAUCI spoke to its coordinator and host, JOAO MIGUEL.
The program, which first went to air in January 1996, aims to provide a voice for Timorese youth living in Australia. All young East Timorese are invited to get involved, and although the program is usually hosted and programmed by Miguel, as many as 15 people have contributed to a single broadcast.
"Even though many young Timorese speak Portuguese and Tetum, we decided to do the program in English ... we wanted to relate to young Timorese living in Australia as well as the wider community", Miguel said.
Freedom Chants has won an audience extending beyond the Timorese community. This has been positive, despite some controversial discussions with non-Timorese listeners calling in to defend past and present Australian government actions regarding East Timor.
Miguel says he welcomes open discussion and debate because it forces all involved to justify and substantiate their opinions. Freedom of speech is essential to East Timor's struggle.
In Freedom Chants, art and culture are crucial ingredients. Young people identify with a program that includes hip hop, rap, reggae, dance and world music, balanced with international news and commentaries, profiles of Timorese artists, cultural groups, political parties and community members.
Freedom Chants promotes Timorese art and culture by acting as an intermediary between artists and the community. It draws attention to cultural showcases, exhibitions and special events, and the work of Timorese artists such as photographer Paul Corsino and bands like Earth Reggae, Reggae Temptation, the Brothers and Timorese songwriter Azao Varudo (who is releasing an album in Tetum later this year).
"Art and culture play a vital role in our struggle. They are our voice and provide us with our own identity. Despite 23 years of Indonesian occupation and oppression, our art and culture maintain an aggressive defiance and keep our struggle alive."
Freedom Chants also plays an important political role by providing information about upcoming rallies, speak-outs and protests such as the "Free Xanana!" protest and the campaign for a referendum on self-determination in East Timor. Miguel believes that a referendum is the only just position the Indonesian government can take. Ideally, it should abide by the UN resolution and withdraw from East Timor.
When asked about Australia's indigenous people, Miguel identified some similarities with the fight for a free East Timor. Both are indigenous struggles for self-determination, he said. Both stem from the occupation of a nation and confront similar language and cultural barriers, the media's denial of their voice and a fight for genuine equality.
One of Miguel's most memorable interviews was with Lyall Munro, coordinator of the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Watch Committee, in 1997, who drew parallels between the two struggles.
"Solidarity exists amongst the Aboriginal and East Timorese communities. Kooris often call up to give their support and to find out how they can assist their East Timorese brothers and sisters in the struggle."
This solidarity is also evident in the generous donation of air time by Gadigal Koori Radio, which also provides broadcast training sessions and a writers' group for Timorese youth.
"Freedom Chants has a clear message", Miguel says. "Despite destiny having bought many East Timorese to Australia, the fight for a free East Timor is alive and strong amongst our youth, who stand alongside the older community in Australia and in unity with our brothers and sisters in East Timor."