Hundreds of protesters in Medan, North Sumatra, forcibly drove away a television crew from Jakarta-based Metro TV station who wanted to cover their rally on Friday for allegedly broadcasting bias reporting of an alleged blasphemy case involving Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.   

The rally, held in front of the Medan Grand Mosque, was held simultaneously with that in Jakarta and some other major cities to demand the criminal prosecution of the incumbent gubernatorial candidate for allegations of religious defamation.

The incident began when Eka, one of the rally’s orators, accused Metro TV, a national TV station owned by ruling NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh, of bias reporting on the case.

 “We warn all media, in particular Metro TV, to cover this peaceful really with balance [of reporting]. Where is [the crew of] Metro TV, drive them away because they are pro-Ahok [media],” Eka said in his speech, which was apparently responded with a crowd forcibly expelling the crew and their satellite news gathering (SNG) van away from the venue.

Although no physical injuries were sustained, the crew said the incident was traumatizing.

“We’re really shocked with what happened. We’re just employees,” said Edi, one of the crew.

Metro TV’s Medan bureau chief Elverina Hidayat said she had reported the incident to the police.

“The work of journalists is protected by the [Press] Law. This incident should not have happened,” she said. (hwa)

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