September 18, 2025 | 07:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Association of Online Media (AMSI) has condemned Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman's Rp200 billion civil lawsuit against a media company, PT Tempo Inti Media Tbk.
"Lawsuits against the press can trigger a chilling effect on journalists and limit the space for criticizing public policies," AMSI stated in a written release on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The lawsuit, registered with the South Jakarta District Court on July 1, 2025, under case number 684/Pdt.G/2025/PN JKT SEL, arose from the title of a news poster in Tempo's May 16, 2025, edition. The title, "Poles-Poles Beras Busuk" (Polishing Rotten Rice), highlighted a national rice absorption policy. The ministry deemed the use of the word "busuk" (rotten) to be damaging to its public image.
The dispute was initially brought before the Press Council, which issued an Assessment and Recommendation Statement (PPR). The Council required Tempo to change the poster's title, moderate social media comments, and issue an apology.
Tempo has since complied with all of these recommendations, including changing the title to "Main Serap Gabah Rusak" (Absorbing Spoiled Grain) on June 19, 2025.
Despite Tempo's compliance, Minister Amran proceeded with the civil lawsuit, claiming both material and immaterial damages amounting to Rp200 billion. The first court hearing for this case was held on Monday, September 15, 2025.
AMSI views this legal action, taken after the Press Council's mediation, as a move that creates legal uncertainty and undermines the Council's fundamental role. The organization warns that this could set a dangerous precedent for the criminalization of the press. It also emphasizes that Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press explicitly states that press disputes should be resolved through the Press Council.
The organization further urges all involved parties to foster a space for dialogue. According to AMSI, resolving disputes through deliberation and mediation is far more productive than pursuing high-value civil lawsuits. "Such lawsuits should only be a last resort when other efforts have failed to yield a fair solution," AMSI remarked.
AMSI expressed hope that the judicial panel will consider the fact that Tempo has already complied with the Press Council's recommendations. The organization underscored that press freedom is a crucial pillar of democracy that must be protected. The press has the right to report on public issues, and the state has a corresponding obligation to protect that space.
"Public officials must be ready to be criticized as long as the criticism is based on facts and journalistic ethics," AMSI stated.
AMSI believes this case is a pivotal moment to clarify the healthy boundaries between legitimate criticism, responsible reporting, and the protection of public officials' reputations. It reiterates that bringing press disputes into high-value civil lawsuits risks suppressing press freedom and that a resolution through the Press Council remains the best path to ensure that both press freedom and democracy in Indonesia are protected.
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