Punishment must be administered on the perpetrators in line with laws and regulations by upholding the importance of the freedom of press in democracyBanda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) - Acting Aceh Governor Nova Iriansyah reprehended the violent assault on ANTARA journalist Teuku Dedi Iskandar in Meulaboh, West Aceh District, early this week, calling on law enforcers to bring to trial all culprits.
Punishment must be administered on the perpetrators in line with laws and regulations by upholding the importance of the freedom of press in democracy, Nova Iriansyah told journalists in Central Aceh on Tuesday while speaking in connection with the assault case.
Iskandar, the journalist of Indonesia's national news agency ANTARA, fell victim to brutality inflicted by several people in Meulaboh over his recently made news reports.
Iskandar believes that those attacking him might have objected to his news items.
Responding to this violent attack, Iriansyah remarked that all journalists in the country are protected by Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press while conducting their professional duties.
Iriansyah emphasized that if any problems pertaining to their journalistic works were to arise, then they must be resolved by respecting the press law and journalists' code of ethics.
"The use of violence in solving the problems must be avoided. The existing laws and regulations should be enforced," he noted.
ANTARA journalist Iskandar had to be hospitalized at the Cuk Nyak Dhien Public Hospital in Meulaboh after being violently attacked.
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Khalis Surry, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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