The Press Council has sought a thorough probe into the alleged intimidation of Jakarta-based Tempo magazine and its journalist Francisca Christy Rosana on Thursday.
"The Press Council urged law enforcers to investigate the terror suspects thoroughly. If we leave this incident unresolved, further threats and terrors (targeting journalists) may happen again," Press Council head Ninik Rahayu said at a press conference on Friday.
She emphasized that press freedom is an exercise of freedom of speech and popular sovereignty guaranteed by Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press.
While admitting that journalists and mass media can commit errors in reporting, complaints over journalistic work need to be routed through the mechanism laid down by the Press Law and Journalistic Code, which provides the right of reply and correction, Rahayu said.
Hence, any act to terrorize or intimidate journalists can never be justified, and the Press Council expressed concern over the attack on Tempo and its journalist.
Rahayu called upon all parties to abide by the mechanism and not infringe on press freedom when expressing discontent with news reports or other journalistic works.
Meanwhile, the agency chief said that her side encouraged Tempo to report the incident to the police since it was a criminal act.
"Earlier today at 10 a.m., colleagues from Tempo and the Committee for the Safety of Journalists have formally filed a complaint to the police about the incident," she informed.
Rahayu also urged Indonesian journalists and mass media to continue their professional work and not be deterred by threats and intimidation.
"The press must remain critical in conveying the truth and inputs to policymakers and ensure the people receive the complete information," she said.
On Wednesday (March 19, 2025), the Tempo magazine's office in Jakarta received a package from an anonymous sender. The package was specifically addressed to Rosana, who works with Tempo's political news desk.
After she opened the package on Thursday, it was found to contain a severed pig's head with its ears cut off. Tempo and Rosana suspected it was meant to intimidate them.
Related news: ANTARA calls for press freedom in Broadcasting Bill
Related news: Press freedom maintained in new government: Ministry of Communications
Translator: Fath Putra Mulya, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
