Journalists rally to demand probe into assault on colleague
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang | Mon, 06/29/2009 7:07 PM
Dozens of journalists, grouped under the Tangerang Journalists Working Group (Pokja), rallied Monday at the Tangerang Police headquarters to demand an investigation into an assault on a photojournalist.
The protesters said the police had not done enough in responding to a report filed by Jawa Pos News Network (JPNN) photographer M. Iqbal against Indra Petrik, the son of singer and environmental activist Ully Sigar Rusadi.
“Journalistic work is protected by the law and the police must enforce the law by taking stern measures against those who assault on-duty journalists,” said group chairman Darussalam.
Tangerang Police detective chief for general crimes, Comr. Budhi Herdi Susyanto, acknowledged the group’s complaints.
He said the police had received three reports of violence against journalists, one of which had been settled by the Tangerang District Court.
However, he said, officers often faced difficulty handling such cases, as journalists were frequently unable to fulfill summons for questioning.
Indra reportedly beat Iqbal in front Agriculture Minister Anton Apriantono and Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiah at the opening of a plant exhibition in Tangerang’s central business district, Cikokol, on June 24.
The journalist was taken to a nearby health clinic for head injuries.
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