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View all search resultsRespect the Press Law
We call on all parties to respect the Press Law, which grants the Press Council authority over journalistic reporting.
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Journalists hold banners during a protest to commemorate World Press Freedom Day in Surabaya, East Java, on May 2, 2025. The protest, organized by the Surabaya chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI Surabaya) and other civic groups, condemned intimidation and violence against journalists. (Antara/Didik Suhartono)
P
ress freedom in Indonesia is once again under pressure, this time from within the halls of government. The Agriculture Ministry is using excessive tactics against a critical media outlet in a dispute that has already been mediated through the Press Council.
We call on all parties to respect the Press Law, which grants the Press Council authority over journalistic reporting.
Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman apparently has not heard, or has chosen to ignore, the statement of President Prabowo Subianto, his own boss, on how to positively react toward public criticism as input for the government.
Knowing the President's stance on press freedom, it is unlikely he would approve the minister's lawsuit against the Tempo media organization.
The ministry has filed a case at the South Jakarta District Court, meaning this is a lawsuit by a state institution against the press. The court held its first hearing on the case on Monday.
Amran clearly did not pay attention to the position of President Prabowo, who is open to criticism, as it is beneficial to prevent leaders from making mistakes.
“Criticism is a must, correction is a must. Leaders who refuse to be corrected will be trapped in mistakes,” the President said at a National Police event in Jakarta just last week.
