RSF - Reporters sans frontières
RSF - Reporters sans frontières
08/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2024 12:35
RSF condemns police violence against several journalists covering a protest in Indonesia
At least 11 journalists were injured and their equipment was damaged when police used physical force during last week's protests in Indonesia. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for a transparent and independent investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
At least 11 journalists were assaultedby members of the Indonesian Republic Police (Polri) as they covered widespread protests against amendments to a law governing elections in Jakarta, the capital, and the city of Bandung on 22 August. The police forced these journalists to delete their coverage of the demonstrations, while their equipment was damaged.
"Nothing justifies this police brutality against journalists, as well as the damage to their equipment. We call on Indonesian authorities to conduct transparent and independent investigations into these acts of violence and guarantee the protection of journalists in the course of their work.
Cédric Alviani
RSF Asia-Pacific Bureau Director
In Jakarta, two photojournalists from online media Makna Talks, known as Edoand Dory,were targeted with tear gasand beaten when reporting on the spot. Juan Robinand Achmad Wahib,reporters from Narasi TV, were pushed to the groundand their cameras were damaged by police officers. Anggita Raissaand Riyan Setiawan, from online media Deduktif, told RSF they also experienced similar encounters with the police. Angga Permanafrom online media konteks.co.id suffered a beatingby security forces that resulted in a head injury.
In the city of Bandung, Alza Ahdira, a journalist from Pikiran-Rakyat.com, was reportedly beaten on her head and armsby five police officers after filming the police dispersing the protesters. Three other journalists from two media, IDN Timesand Tempo, remain anonymous for safety reasons. One of them was beaten by police and later brought to a police station for interrogation. He was later released with numerous wounds.
Indonesia is ranked 111th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2024 World Press Freedom Index.
Published on27.08.2024