The Balibo Five were a group of Australian television journalists based in the town of Balibo in the then Portuguese Timor (now East Timor), who were killed on October 16, 1975 by Indonesian troops mounting incursions, prior to the full-scale invasion of the territory on December 7 that year. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with reporter. ... Balibo is a town in East Timor situated approximately 10km from the Indonesian border. ... Portuguese Timor is the former name (1596 - 1975) of East Timor when it was under Portuguese control. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

They included two Australians, Greg Shackleton and Tony Stewart, a reporter and cameraman for HSV-7 (Seven Network) in Melbourne, two Britons, Brian Peters and Malcolm Rennie, and a New Zealander, Gary Cunningham, working for TCN-9 (Nine Network) in Sydney. Seven Melbourne is a television station in Melbourne, Australia. ... The Seven Network (ASX: SEV) is Australias largest television network, owning the most free to air channel in Australia. ... Melbourne is the state capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-largest city in Australia (after Sydney), with a population of approximately 3. ... Motto: Dieu et mon droit (Royal motto; French for God and my right) 3 Anthem: God Save the Queen4 Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English de facto 5 Government Queen Prime Minister Constitutional monarchy Elizabeth II Tony Blair Establishment 18016 Area  - Total  - Water (%)   244,820 km² (80th... TCN-9 is the Sydney flagship television station of the Nine Network in Australia. ... The Nine Network is an Australian television network, available in major markets across Australia. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ...

While the men were aware that Indonesian troops were to mount an attack on the town, they believed that as Australian journalists, they would not be considered military targets. Greg Shackleton was filmed painting an Australian flag and the word 'AUSTRALIA' on the wall of a house. Flag ratio: 1:2 The Australian Flag at full mast. ...

The Indonesian military justified its killing of the camera crews on the grounds that they were 'communists', and sympathisers with the Fretilin party in Portuguese Timor; however most historians think they were killed to prevent them exposing the Indonesian incursions. The men's remains were, in fact, taken to Jakarta for burial, without the consent of their families. Communism - Wikipedia /**/ @import /w/skins-1. ... Categories: East Timor | Politics stubs ... Motto: Jaya Raya (Indonesian): Prosper and Great Founded 22 June 1527 Governor Sutiyoso Area 661. ...

Greg Shackleton's widow, Shirley, became an outspoken supporter of East Timor's fight for independence in Australia. Other relatives were so traumatised by the event that for many years they did not pursue the matter any further. It was not until 1994, that Brian Peters' sister, Maureen Tolfree, became involved with the East Timor issue, having heard of a demonstration in her home town of Bristol against the sale of BAE Hawk fighter jets to Indonesia. Bristol is a unitary authority with city and ceremonial county status in South West England. ... The BAE Hawk is an advanced jet trainer manufactured by BAE Systems and used by the Royal Air Force and other countries air forces. ...

See also

• Roger East

Roger East (unknown - December 7, 1975) was an Australian journalist who was murdered by Indonesian soldiers during the invasion of East Timor in 1975. ...

External links

• Sunday report on Balibo memorial Nine Network Australia
• BBC Radio 4 Death in East Timor - Interview with Maureen Tolfree
• 'Lest we forget' cartoon by 'Jeff' from 1976
• Press group seeks fresh investigation into Balibo five - IFEX