Indonesian Journalist Intimidated with Pig’s Head as Media Crackdown Deepens

In a chilling act of intimidation, an Indonesian investigative journalist received a severed pig’s head at his news outlet’s office in Jakarta—an incident that has sparked national outrage and raised fresh concerns over the safety of journalists in the country. The grotesque package, accompanied by decapitated rats and a threatening message, was delivered to Project Multatuli, a nonprofit outlet known for reporting on corruption, environmental degradation, and marginalized communities.

The targeted journalist, who remains unnamed for security reasons, had recently published a story critical of a high-ranking government official. The attack is being viewed not only as an attempt to silence dissent but also as a symbolic gesture meant to humiliate and threaten. In Indonesia, where the majority of the population is Muslim, pigs are considered unclean, amplifying the emotional and psychological impact of the threat.

This is not an isolated incident. Several independent media outlets have reported increased surveillance, online harassment, and threats from anonymous sources in recent months. Journalists say the working environment has become hostile, with growing fear that state-linked actors may be behind the intimidation.

The act has drawn condemnation from local and international press freedom organizations. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called the attack “a form of psychological terrorism,” while Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) labeled it “a new low in the ongoing war against a free press.” Even Indonesia’s Press Council described the incident as an act meant to “terrorize and criminalize critical journalism.”

Tensions have further escalated as President Joko Widodo has openly criticized foreign-funded media and accused certain outlets of pushing “external agendas.” Critics argue this rhetoric emboldens attacks on journalists and undermines press freedom.

For Indonesia’s embattled reporters, the pig’s head is more than just a threat—it’s a gruesome warning that truth-telling comes with a price. As journalists continue to hold power to account, the growing climate of fear signals that the fight for press freedom in Indonesia is entering a perilous new phase.