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TV journalists file report of alleged assault during Saturday rally
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A professional camera operator films on his camera. (Shutterstock.com/File)
T
wo journalists of private TV station Metro TV, Desi Fitriani and cameraman Ucha Fernandez, have filed a report to the Central Jakarta Police on the alleged abuse they received while reporting during the rally on Saturday.
Desi told antaranews.com that she made the report on Saturday afternoon along with a security officer named Yaudi.
Ucha said the incident started when he and Desi were reporting the rally at the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta.
As Ucha and Yaudi attempted to enter the mosque to take some footage inside of it, rallygoers allegedly began to shout at them before escorting the three away from the mosque's yard.
As they were being walked out, Ucha said that he was assaulted on his stomach, neck and feet. Desi said several people hit her with a bamboo stick.
(Read also: AJI expresses concern over violence against journalists at Jakarta rally)
They were guarded by military officials who walked them to the Jakarta Cathedral next door.
Jakarta Police Spokesman Sr. Comr. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono confirmed a report was made.
Thousands of people on Saturday morning joined the rally centered at the Istiqlal Mosque where they prayed together. The rally was a continuation of the two larger rallies staged last year against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Meanhwile, the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) condemned the alleged assault on the journalists in the rally. In a press release sent out to the media, the IJTI stated that in addition to the Metro TV journalists, a journalist from another TV station, Global TV, was also allegedly assaulted.
“The IJTI and the Press Council’s Anti-Violence task force will look into this case, which was very uncivilized, “ the statement read. (mrc)
