September 3, 2025 | 05:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has strongly condemned the attacks on at least 16 Indonesian journalists covering recent protests. The international organization is calling on President Prabowo Subianto to take immediate action, urging him to end the violence, especially that committed by police, and ensure a transparent investigation.
Since August 25, 2025, at least 16 journalists have been attacked or intimidated while reporting on the nationwide demonstrations. The protests were sparked by public outrage over alleged excessive privileges for parliament members and low wages.
In at least five cases, law enforcement officers were directly responsible for the attacks or attempts to obstruct reporters.
Incidents of Violence and Harassment
In Jakarta, Bayu Pratama, a for the news agency Antara, was attacked by police outside thphotojournaliste Parliament building. In Bali, Rovin Bou, a reporter for Bali Topik, was arrested while live-streaming on TikTok. Despite showing his press card, he was choked, beaten, and briefly detained.
In other incidents, reporters Fabiola Dianira (DetikBali), Leo Chandra Sibarani (TV ONE), and Mughni (Jurnas) were prevented by police from covering the protests.
Other attacks involved unidentified perpetrators. Rafi Adhi of Disway was injured after being sprayed with acid outside the National Police headquarters.
In Jambi, eight journalists were surrounded by a crowd and prevented from working, while a vehicle belonging to Tribun Jambi was set on fire.
"By attacking, arbitrarily arresting, and intimidating journalists, the Indonesian law enforcement agencies violate the public's right to reliable information. We urge President Prabowo Subianto to take immediate action to ensure that journalists can work safely and that those responsible for these attacks are held accountable," said Cédric Alviani, RSF Asia-Pacific Director.
Broader Concerns Over Censorship
RSF also raised concerns about potential censorship. According to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the Jakarta Regional Broadcasting Commission (KPID) sent warning letters to television and radio stations urging them to avoid "excessively violent" coverage. The KPID Chairperson, however, denied this.
Social media platforms also appear to be restricting coverage. On August 30, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, temporarily suspended live broadcasts, a tool widely used by media to report on the situation.
The platform also permanently blocked the account of online media outlet Rmol.id, which had been posting short videos of protests.
Just days earlier, the Ministry of Communication and Digital had expressed its intent to summon Meta and TikTok over "content allegedly defaming and spreading hatred."
These attacks are part of a worrying pattern of police violence against the press in Indonesia. In March 2025, around 15 reporters were attacked while covering protests against a law strengthening the military's role in civilian governance.
Indonesia now ranks 127th out of 180 countries on RSF's 2025 World Press Freedom Index, a drop of 16 places in one year.
Editor's Choice: Police Violence Alleged Against Civilians and Journalists at August 25 Jakarta Protest
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