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Indonesia's AJI urges police not to hinder journalists reporting Ahok trial
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On guard – Police personnel beef up security prior to the third hearing of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s blasphemy case at the North Jakarta District Court on Sunday. (JP/Safrin La Batu)
A
lliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) chairman Suwarjono expressed disapproval of the police action that hindered journalists in reporting the blasphemy trial implicating Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Tuesday despite the judge's permit.
"The police have surely hindered journalist work. The police action was too much despite that they did not have the authority to prohibit the journalists from covering the opened trial," Suwarjono told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
(Read also: AJI expresses concern over violence against journalists at Jakarta rally)
He added that presiding judge Dwiarso Budi Santiarto only banned the live broadcast of the trial, not the coverage. It was the police that blocked access, he said.
Further, he said that he hoped judges, the district court and the police could coordinate regarding this matter.
"If there is a room capacity problem, we hope [the court] can provide speakers outside the trial room to facilitate the journalists' work," he added.
Suwarjono said further that the AJI was currently investigating the Tuesday incident and gathering data regarding the violation of the Press Law. The gathered information would determine AJI's next step, he said. (dan)
