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AJI slams alleged intimidation against journalists covering Aug. 17 protest
Article 18 (1) of the 1999 Press Law stipulates that every individual found guilty of obstructing journalists from doing their work may face a maximum punishment of two years in prison or a Rp 500 million (US$32,234) fine.
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Environmentalists and other activists put up a large banner that reads “Indonesia is not for sale. Merdeka [Freedom]!“ to commemorate the 79th Independence Day at Balang Island Bridge in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan, on Aug. 17, 2024. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja )
T
he Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) condemned the alleged intimidation against three journalists covering the Independence Day celebration event organized by activists in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan, near the location of the future capital city Nusantara.
The three journalists, a reporter with CNN Indonesia and two from public journalism initiative Project Multatuli, were reportedly stopped and intimidated by police officers when covering the unfurling of a red banner that read “Indonesia is not for sale. Merdeka [Freedom]!” at the Balang Island Bridge in the regency.
The bridge connects Balikpapan, the second-largest city in East Kalimantan, with Nusantara, where the government was holding the 79th Independence Day commemoration ceremony, the first one held in the future capital.
The protest at the Balang Island Bridge was organized by activists from Greenpeace Indonesia, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) and the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam). They protested the new capital city project, arguing that the development had deprived the rights of indigenous people living around Nusantara and harmed the environment.
The incident occurred at around 1 p.m., as the journalists were wrapping up their work onboard a boat on the water under the bridge. The police ordered them to land their boat for questioning.
Read also: Journalist association condemns alleged intimidation of Tempo journalist
After initially refusing to leave the boat, the journalists decided to follow the police to a building near the location, where the officers allegedly intimidated the journalists by asking their purpose of being around the bridge. The investigators also listed their names and their outlets before releasing the journalists.
