Violence Continues to Occur

The Press Council issued in 2008 the Standard for the Protection of the Journalist\'s Profession.

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Journalists in Sidoarjo, East Java, demand that they investigate the persecution of journalist Tempo Nurhadi through a theatrical action.

Journalists who show their credentials should not be mistreated and their tools should not be confiscated.

The guarantee of the safety of journalists while on duty is clearly stated in Article 10 of the Code of Conduct for Indonesian Journalists. Even though this provision is related to conflict situations, with the provision that journalists do not wear any of the attributes or accessories marking any party involved in the dispute, journalists are obliged to receive protection. The authorities should understand this guarantee, especially when they see what happened to Tempo journalist Nurhadi on Saturday (27/3/2021).

Also read: Threats to Press Freedom

Nurhadi was beaten by a number of people, several of whom were suspected of being police officers, when he was seeking confirmation of a fact from the former director of inspection at the Directorate General of Taxes of the Finance Ministry, Angin Prayitno Aji, at the Samudra Bumimoro Building in Surabaya, East Java. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Angin a suspect in a tax bribery case. Angin was holding a wedding reception for a child of his. The violence was protested by various groups. (Kompas, 29-30/3/2021)

The protection of journalists is also regulated in Law No. 40/1999 on the press.

Indeed, some questioned Nurhadi\'s presence in the reception area, which was only for a limited circle. Moreover, he was not invited to the event. However, it must be remembered, journalism exists because there are public interests to be fought for. Journalists may be accused of violating someone\'s privacy, but apart from the fact that it must be proven, it cannot justify acts of violence against journalists or anyone, regardless of their profession.

Also read: Press Freedom for Advancement of Nation

The 1945 Constitution, particularly Article 28 and its derivatives, ensures that every citizen has the right to feel safe, not to be intimidated, not to be mistreated and to be free from fear. National Police Chief Gen. (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo has promised a more professional and trustworthy face for the National Police and has continued National Police reform. The police are seeking to be more open and to accommodate aspirations and views from the community in order to position themselves as protectors and defenders of the nation\'s citizens. The National Police will also seek to use their authority wisely and politely with the public, according to the police motto rastra sewakottama (main servant of the nation).

We need to continue to encourage authorities to reduce the tendency to use violence.

According to the records of the Independent Journalists Alliance, in 2020 there were 84 cases of violence against journalists, the most in the last five years. Some of the perpetrators of the violence were security officers. We need to continue to encourage authorities to reduce the tendency to use violence. On the other hand, the competence and professionalism of journalists also need to be continuously improved so that they can be trustworthy when they serve the public.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).