PWl condemns intimidation and death threat against journalists

News24xx.com -

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) appealed to the public so that news disputes with the mass media could be resolved based on Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press to obtain the right of reply and correction.

Not only that, the Press Council can also find solutions through mediation. In other words, the Press Council has the right to provide an assessment of the journalistic code of ethics and can impose sanctions on the mass media if it is proven to have committed a violation.

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This appeal is important after the intimidation and death threats against the journalist Detik.com who wrote the news related to President Joko Widodo on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

This case began with Detikcom revealed news about President Joko Widodo's plan to open a mall in Bekasi, West Java, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Information is based on the statement of the Head of the Public Relations Subdivision of the Bekasi Regional Secretariat. The news was corrected because there was a correction from the Head of Public Relations of the Bekasi City Government which stated that Jokowi only reviewed public facilities in the context of preparing for a new normal after the PSBB.

After the correction was published, violence against journalists Detik.com began. The journalist's personal identity was revealed and published on social media, including his telephone number and home address. Digital footprints are revealed and searched for mistakes. He also received death threats via WhatsApp messages. A similar attack was aimed at Detikcom's media editors. The series of intimidation and threats against journalists clearly hurt freedom of the press as the fourth pillar of democracy in addition to contradicting the mandate of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press.

For this reason, the Central Board of PWI stated the following attitude.

1. Strongly condemning acts of intimidation and death threats against reporters detik.com. Bearing in mind, journalists in carrying out their duties are protected by Law No. 40/1999 concerning the Press. Every threat and deterrence to journalists could be subject to a two-year prison sentence and a Rp.500 million fine.

2. Asking the police to immediately arrest the perpetrators of intimidation and threatening the murder.

3. Asking the public or anyone who feels that a news report is inappropriate can use the facilities provided for in the Press Law regarding the right of reply and right of correction. *** (rls)