Security guard headbutts TV reporter

Thu, 05/14/2009 2:16 PM  |  City

JAKARTA: The Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) on Wednesday lambasted violence toward a member of the press by a central bank security officer who allegedly headbutted a TV reporter, causing him to bleed from his forehead.

LBH Pers head of non-litigation division Arief Ariyanto said the incident proved "threats toward freedom of the press were not only in the form of repressive regulations but also in the form of physical and non-physical pressures".

LBH Pers reported a Bank Indonesia security officer headbutted SCTV reporter Carlos Pardede on Wednesday, as the reporter attempted to pass through the central bank's gate.

Security officers stopped the car, carrying Carlos and cameraperson Ahmad Haris, at the gates and ordered them to leave their ID cards at the gate in an authoritative voice. The two were about to interview BI Governor Boediono about his likely candidacy as SBY's running mate in the next presidential election.

Hearing the security guards' tones of voice, Carlos stepped out of the car and asked the security officers to talk more politely. While in the middle of the argument, another security guard came over to Carlos and headbutted him.

Carlos is planning to report the incident to the Jakarta Police.

Arief said monitoring by LBH Pers showed throughout May last year up to now, there had been 53 incidences of violence against the press. - JP

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