JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com — Law enforcement officials are advised to take time to read Law No. 40 of 1999, regarding the media law. This is to understand how journalists carried out their duties and activities.
In a press release on Tuesday, October 1 2019, the Papuan Native Journalist Forum (FJAP) conveyed that many members of the Indonesian National Police do not understand nor do they know about the role and function of journalism.
“We advise law enforcement officials to be able to read and understand the Media Law so that they do not criminaluse journalists work in Indonesia,” according to FJAP press release.
Arnoldus Belau, coordinator of the FJAP, mentioned that all journalists in Indonesia are protected under Law No. 40 of 1999, in carrying out journalistic activities and at the same time, are protected when doing journalism work in Indonesia.
“In carrying out journalistic activities, journalists cannot be obstructed, restricted and banned in carrying out media coverage. Also, the Law guarantees that authorities who carry out prohibitions and restrictions must allow access for journalists, “he told suarapapua.com, Wednesday (10/2/2019).
As noted by FJAP in the Press Release asserted, it strongly condemned law enforcement actions, in partucular the police officer who intimidated, restricted access to coverage and beating of journalists in Indonesia.
Furthermore, it expressed support for the Press Council’s statement about the importance of the media promoting peaceful journalism.
“Our advice to the Press Council is to be able to restrain various online media that thrive in Indonesia. “We must reprimand and sanction media that continue to produce hoax, news that do not prioritize journalistic principles, including peaceful journalism,” Mr Belau explained.
FJAP coordinator explained that every media must be a bearer of good news for the community. Not a bearer of bad news that can cause conflict and unrest in society.
At the same time, the media in Indonesia must prioritize peaceful journalism in producing every journalistic work.
“Because it is very clear in the news about Wamena and Papua, the Indonesian media report on the news that lead to new conflicts and unrest in among the society in Indonesia,” he explained.
The press release further reminded the Press Council to advice all journalists to prioritize peaceful journalism.
“All press agencies must uphold the Journalistic Code of Ethics to write or broadcast events without prejudice, discrimination against Ethnic, Religious, Racial groups in their editorial policies,” statement of the Press Council’s in Jakarta, Tuesday, October 10 2019.
The Press Council expressed concern, and at the same time, condemned all acts of deterrence, violence, intimidation and persecution carried out by security forces against journalists who were carrying out journalistic activities.
“The Press Council condemned acts of violence and intimidation by security forces against journalists covering the demonstration related to the rejection of the RKUHP ratification, on Tuesday, October 24, 2019, in several cities,” said Agung Dharmajaya, chairman of the Press Council’s legal commission.
The Press Council also raised concern and deplored about the news that caused unrest in the community, which has the potential to escalate conflicts related to violent incidents that occurred in various regions, particularly in Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, Papua.
In addition, the Press Council urges all parties not to obstruct, violent, intimidate and mistreat journalists, while carrying out their journalistic duties.
Hendry CH Bangun, deputy chairman of the Press Council, stated that several incidents experienced by journalists in several cities in Indonesia has reminded the Press Council of the journalists must be protected by Law No. 40 of 1999, concerning the Press and the Journalistic Code of Ethics.
The Press Council urges the National Police to take firm action against the security forces involved in deterrence, violence, intimidation and mistreatment of journalists to be processed according to the provisions of the applicable law. (YN-SP)
