DILI (TOP) – In the midst of the struggle of all citizens of the world, including citizens in Timor-Leste and the media, against the Covid-19 pandemic, a good news came to the editorial office of The Oe-Kusi Post last week.
Good news from Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, United States through the Google News Initiative (GNI) states that The Oe-Kusi Post, www.oekusipost.com passed the Journalism Emergency Relief Fund (JERF) program. This program is intended for local media around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.
“We are lucky to be able to pass this very tight selection. And very grateful for the help of the Google News Initiative," said editor in chief of The Oe-Kusi PostRaimundos Oki.
"I am writing back to let you know we are happy to confirm that your application has been approved to receive USD $ 5,000 from the JERF. The response to this program has been truly overwhelming. It has been humbling and gratifying to help support local news organizations like you," Recipients & applicants manager, Sarah Hartley's GNI Innovation Challenges via email to The Oe-Kusi Post last week.
Meanwhile, Head of Google News Initiative Innovation, Ludovic Blecher stated, as many as 5,300 local media in the world were decided to get JERF support to overcome the crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
There are 12,000 media were recorded from 140 countries selected by 300 Googlers (Google employees). Of the 5,300 media that passed, most came from North America (1,800 media). Europe, Middle East and Africa (1,550 media). Latin America (around 1,050 media). Asia-Pacific including Indonesia (800 media). Specifically for Timor-Leste there is only one, namely The Oe-Kusi Post.
Thanks to Google for giving credence to The Oe-Kusi Post. Thank you also for the support of all dear friends, family, friends and dear readers. Hopefully this will be encouraging and immune for us to continue working in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
