A Trans7 journalist in Jambi, Nugroho Anton, was injured by a police tear gas canister as he was reporting on the rally in front of the Jambi Legislative Council (DPRD) office.

The Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) condemned the aggressive policing of the fuel price hike protest. It said the police had gone too far and it must be accounted for and taken seriously by the National Police (Polri) as attacks against journalists during news coverage had often occurred.

'€œWe urge the police to account for the incident and arrest the perpetrators, as it has posed a threat to the safety of journalists,'€ the IJTI said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The incident occurred when Nugroho was covering a demonstration staged by hundreds of students, grouped under the Jambi Students Alliance. When the situation turned violent, police shot tear gas at the demonstrators, with several journalists among them, including Nugroho of Trans7. He fell instantly with blood flowing from his temple.

The IJTI said such police aggression violated Article 4 of the Law No.40/1999 on press freedom.

'€œWe are calling upon all press institutions to fight against anybody who perpetrates violence against journalists and prevents them from carrying out their journalistic duties,'€ it said.

Currently, Nugroho is receiving medical treatment at Mat Tahir Regional Hospital (RSUD) in Jambi. (ebf)

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