Indonesia: Eleven Journalists Attacked by Police During Protest Coverage

August 30, 2024 – Indonesia – 

At least eleven journalists were violently assaulted by security forces while covering a mass protest in Jakarta on August 22, 2024, prompting strong condemnation from global and national press freedom organizations. The attacks occurred during demonstrations against the controversial Pilkada Bill, a proposed electoral reform that has sparked widespread unrest. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the journalists were identified as the press but were still subjected to beatings, threats, and destruction of their equipment by members of both the National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

The journalists, working for various print, television, and digital media outlets, were reporting outside the House of Representatives when security personnel reportedly charged into the crowd and physically targeted them. Several had their cameras smashed, memory cards seized, and mobile phones confiscated. Eyewitness reports also indicate that some journalists were chased or shoved despite presenting press identification. The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and SINDIKASI confirmed that at least 11 cases have been documented and warned that the true number may be higher.

In response, IFJ and AJI have demanded immediate investigations into the incidents, prosecution of those responsible, and institutional reforms to protect journalists from further violence. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also condemned the assaults, calling on Indonesian authorities to uphold their constitutional commitment to press freedom and ensure that the media can safely cover public protests without interference or intimidation.

The violence marks a concerning escalation in hostility toward the press in Indonesia. Although the country has constitutional protections for freedom of expression, recent years have seen an increase in attacks, arrests, and harassment of journalists, especially during political protests. The latest incident further erodes confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard democratic norms.

Press organizations have urged President Joko Widodo’s administration to issue a public statement reaffirming the right to press freedom and to take concrete steps to ensure the safety of media workers in all future demonstrations. Without accountability and reform, Indonesia risks deepening a climate of fear and self-censorship among journalists.

Reference – 

https://rsf.org/en/rsf-condemns-police-violence-against-several-journalists-covering-protest-indonesia

Indonesia: 11 journalists attacked in widespread protest – IFJ