Indonesia
Indonesia has improved its position in the latest World Press Freedom Index (WPFI), an annually compiled ranking by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). RSF is a non-governmental organization specialized in advocating for and safeguarding press freedom across the globe.
The archipelagic nation’s WPFI advancement from 117 position in 2022 to 108 in 2023 seems encouraging. However, it may not necessarily reflect significant progress within the country. Instead, it could stem from the deterioration of press freedom in other nations.
Since the fall of its authoritarian regime in 1998, Indonesia’s media landscape has been transitioning towards a beacon of press freedom in Southeast Asia. Still, its persistent on-ground challenges subtly hint at broader political and legal hurdles, leading into unfulfilled reform pledges and legal constraints.
Introduced in December 2022, the provisions of The Informasi dan Transaksi Elektronik (ITE Law) against “fake news” demonstrate how legal frameworks can amplify journalistic hurdles. This new penal code is criminalizing the exposure of uncomfortable truths, thereby fostering a climate of self-censorship and impeding accountability efforts.
A 2022 Al Jazeera article highlighted these legal tactics as factors strengthening Indonesian military forces’ influence over media coverage. Any divergent views on sensitive issues, or criticism of the president, could lead to prosecution for tarnishing the nation’s reputation.
According to an International Federation of Journalists’ article, the conflict between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea also involves political actions against journalists and human rights activists. Pressures through increased military presence and frequent internet shutdowns pose more challenges for media personnel, exposing them to potential political and military reprisals.
In an interview for Benar News, the Jubi photographer, Yance Wenda, talked about facing police brutality while covering a peaceful protest. An incident condemned by RSF as indicative of Indonesia’s harsh media climate. Subsequently to his beating, Wenda got arrested by the West Papua’s law enforcement and then questioned and beaten again.
In a separate incident, again condemned by the RSF, the local police enforcement seized and erased the camera of TV reporter Richardo Hutahaean, who received death threats following his coverage of a local political dispute. This act of intimidation further demonstrates the broader oppressive tactics used against journalists in Indonesia.
The case of Victor Mambor, a journalist who suffered bomb attacks related to his reporting exemplifies the exercised violence over media personnel in the area. Moreover, this ordeal is a part of a larger trend, with at least 114 documented cases of violence against journalists in the region over the last two decades.
A poignant remark by Kyle Delbyck, a Senior Program Manager, states: “With several courtroom battles ongoing, fates of countless journalists are hanging in the balance in Indonesia.” An official comment that proves the precarious state of press freedom in the country, where legal battles loom large over journalists to ensnare them in a complex legal maze.
Another obstacle to Indonesia’s fair and free media is provided in a video of Stratfor — its geography. Spread between 12,000 islands and linguistic diversity of 275 million residents, this vast diversity can also lead to information silos where news may be heavily localized, limiting broader, unbiased information dissemination and making national consensus on key issues more challenging.
Indonesia’s media situation mirrors a global trend of entangling press freedom with the complex socio-political dynamics, as according to an academic article of Grace Swestin. Therefore, a global push for unfettered journalism is crucial.
Despite its improved rank, deep-rooted challenges indicate a protracted journey to genuine media liberty. However, through international support Indonesia could guide a media-friendly framework, demanding collaborative efforts for meaningful change, as reported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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Aleks Slavchev is a senior student double-majoring in Business Administration and Political Science & International Relations at the American University in Bulgaria. He has a background in examining the political landscapes of diverse nations worldwide, with a focus on Europe, Asia, and North America.
