LBH Pers and ICJR Call for Legal Action Against Journalist Assaults

1 week ago 7

The Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) and the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) have urged the criminal legal process in the case of violence against a journalist by the aide of the Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Kapolri) in Semarang on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

They stated that the head assault committed by Police Second Brigadier (Ipda) Endry against the photojournalist of the National News Agency Office (LKBN) Antara, Makna Zaezar, is considered a serious violation that should be followed up not only with strict ethical sanctions.

"An apology does not erase ethical responsibility and the potential for criminal acts," they said in a written statement on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Previously, facilitated by the Central Java Regional Police, Ipda Endry apologized to the journalist concerned on April 6, 2025. Despite the apology, LBH Pers and ICJR believed that the ethical and disciplinary process should have been carried out in accordance with Police Regulation Number 7 of 2022 concerning the Code of Professional Ethics and the Commission for the Code of Ethics of the Indonesian National Police, which regulates the obligation of police members to behave humanely, professionally, and uphold human rights. However, they stated that the actions of the Kapolri's aide should also be processed criminally.

LBH Pers and ICJR cited Article 351 of the Criminal Code regarding assault, the act of assaulting a journalist, which can be considered as an assault because it causes pain or injury to another person's body. In addition, Article 335 of the Criminal Code on the threat of violence can also be used, verbal threats made to journalists can be categorized as an attempt to coerce others through threats of violence.

"It is important to note that based on Article 52 of the Criminal Code, if a crime is committed by a state official in the course of duty (in this case a police officer), the punishment can be aggravated," they stated.

LBH Pers and ICJR view the actions of the perpetrator as even potentially categorized as crimes against the implementation of press rights to seek, process, and disseminate information. The regulations regarding press rights as guaranteed by Article 18 paragraph (1) of the Press Law. "The National Police must enforce the law professionally and transparently."

The verbal and physical violence committed by Ipda Endry occurred when Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo was inspecting the reverse flow at Semarang Tawang Station on Saturday, April 5, 2025. At that time, Listyo's aide hit the back of Makna's head and made threats to the journalists who were covering the event.

"When I was about to turn around, he slapped my head. So he slapped the back of my head," said Makna when contacted from Jakarta on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Meanwhile, according to Makna, the threat from Ipda Endry's mouth occurred shortly before he was hit on the head. "Before I moved to the other side, this aide was grumbling, saying that if you are from the press, you will be slapped one by one, like that," said Makna.

After the incident, Ipda Endry finally apologized directly to Makna on Sunday night, April 6, 2025. The apology was made after a meeting held at the Central Java ANTARA News Corporation Office in Semarang.

Vedro Imanuel Girsang contributed to the writing of this article.

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