The move to instantly revoke a palace reporter’s credentials was unprecedented. Even Soeharto, who ruled with an iron fist for 32 years until May 1998, never exhibited such arrogance. His government preferred to blacklist journalists by withholding their press card, issued annually. Yet Soeharto, who was then Prabowo’s father-in-law, would still ask the media outlet of the blacklisted reporter to send a replacement to cover the palace.

We urge President Prabowo to publicly clarify the actions of palace officials, especially those who chose to take retaliatory measures against journalists for raising important public concerns. The swiftness of the move at the weekend seems to indicate a systematic issue, an unwritten aim to suppress legitimate journalism and serve the President rather than the public interest.

We demand the President act against the official responsible and instruct his aides to provide full access to accredited media as representatives of the public interest. Government officials, the military, police and regional leaders will follow the President’s example in handling the media.

During a press conference on Sept. 27, Erlin Suastini, head of the Presidential Secretariat’s Press, Media and Information Bureau (BPM), revoked the credential of CNN Indonesia journalist Diana Valencia without warning, apparently for defying his prior written instruction that journalists were only permitted to ask about the President’s overseas trip.

Just as Prabowo was about to leave, Diana asked him about the free meals program, which had led to food poisoning cases affecting more than 5,000 students nationwide, most of which occurred while the President was overseas. This is a nationwide concern that has led to growing calls to suspend the program until the government finds a comprehensive solution.

The President gave a quite lengthy response, perhaps beyond what journalists expected: “This is quite a big program so there will be shortcomings at the start, but I am sure this [problem] will be handled carefully. Stay alert, don’t let this issue be politicized,” he said.

The move to immediately revoke a palace reporter’s credential undermines both the President’s authority and press freedom, especially as it came after a professional exchange over a major public concern. While the President’s response demonstrated a commitment to transparency, his BPM chief’s action contradicted it.

We fear the incident is just the tip of the iceberg.

There may be efforts to deny the media access to certain information, simply based on an assumption that the President does not wish to be annoyed by journalists. Such efforts are typical of bureaucrats who constantly try to please their master.

By acting hostile to the media, however, officials will not only violate the people’s right to information but also contribute to the uncontrolled spread of rumors and hoaxes.

The people around a president, including presidential security personnel and protocol officers, tend to imitate their boss’s general demeanor. During the previous administration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, members of his security detail exhibited calm and friendly conduct because he often engaged in spontaneous conversations with the public.

President Prabowo must respond decisively to increasing public scrutiny over the growing hostility toward the media since he took office. While the government cannot easily control social media platforms, restricting press access poses a far greater risk to public trust and information integrity.

Indonesia ranks 127th out of the 180 countries and territories surveyed in the World Press Freedom Index 2025 from Reporters Without Borders, falling 16 places in a single year. This should sound an alarm, given the country’s standing as the world’s third largest democracy by population.

Prabowo’s official remarks about press freedom have often sparked public concern about his commitment, and while he has repeatedly made assurances that press freedom is fully guaranteed, the people remain unconvinced.

We call on the President to ensure that such a violation of press freedom, by a palace official, no less, will not reoccur by setting his own example to prove his commitment to freedoms of speech and the press. The public is looking forward to seeing him walk the talk.