IJTI Bali And AJI District Intimidation Of Police Officers Against Journalists

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) of the Bali Regional Management and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Denpasar condemned the act of intimidation of police officers against two journalists while covering the demonstration in Denpasar, Saturday, August 30, 2025.

Secretary of IJTI Bali Ambros Boli Berbaru, quoted from ANTARA, Sunday, August 31, 2025, emphasized that the actions of police officers suspected of intimidating two journalists, Fabiola Dianira (seconds of Bali.com) and Rovin Bou (Balitopik.com) had violated Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press.

"The violent action experienced by several fellow journalists while covering this demonstration injured press freedom because the police officer violated Article 18 paragraph (1) of Law (UU) Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. Journalists receive legal protection while carrying out their professions," said Ambros.

Ambros explained that journalists in carrying out their duties are protected by the Press Law. Journalists are protected by the Press Law (UU) in carrying out their duties. As written in Article 4 paragraph (3) of the Press Law which states that the national press has the right to seek, obtain and disseminate ideas and information.

The intimidation incident was experienced by Fabiola Diinata, a Secondary Journalist in Bali while covering the mass action at the Bali DPRD Building.

The woman who is familiarly called Nia admitted that several police officers had visited her and forbade her to take photos when the police arrested the participants of the action.

Selain itu, Rovin Bou jurnali jurnali Topic juga ditangkap saat sedang live TikTok untuk akun official Bali Topic di depan Mapolda Bali.

Even though he admitted to being a journalist while showing his Press ID, Rovin was still arrested while flanked in the neck and kicked from behind and led to the Police Headquarters yard.

"While I was live for the office, I was asked where it came from. I said it was from the media. But I was flanked and kicked several times from behind and then taken to the Ditreskrimsus yard. In addition, my bag and my cellphone were confiscated," said Rovin.

In addition to intimidation, a number of journalists are also prohibited from taking pictures when the police want to arrest the participants of the action. This incident was experienced by Tri Widiyanti, Bali Metro journalist and Bali Global journalist Surya.

Ambros added that although fellow journalists were finally allowed to take pictures after claiming to be from the media, this had also violated the public's right to access information.

"Even if for example the people who take pictures are not prohibited because it is in a public area. Why do the police seem afraid that their repressive actions will be known to the public," he said.

By studying a number of chronology reports of journalists experiencing intimidation, IJTI Bali demanded that the Bali Police apologize to the media for the repressive actions of the police.

In addition, the Bali Police must take action against individuals who are suspected of having intimidated and violence against journalists.

In line with that, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Denpasar condemns all forms of intimidation and violence against two journalists covering demonstrations in two locations, around the Bali Regional Police Station (Polda) and around the Bali DPRD Office, Saturday, August 30.

Chairman of AJI Denpasar Ayu Sulistyowati assessed that the two cases are proof that press freedom is still threatened.

"We AJI Denpasar firmly condemn all the violence and intimidation. We demand that the Bali Regional Police (Polda) investigate and punish the officers who intimidate the two journalists who are carrying out the journalistic process," he said.

According to him, all forms of violence against journalists/journalists constitute violations of Article 18 paragraph (1) of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, namely any person who deliberately commits an act that results in hindering or obstructing the implementation of the provisions of Article 4 paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) shall be punished with a maximum imprisonment of 2 (two) years.

In addition, Article 4 paragraph 3 of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, states that to ensure press independence, the national press has the right to seek, obtain, and disseminate ideas and information. On the other hand, Article 8 of the Press Law states that in carrying out its profession journalists receive legal protection.

"We also call on media companies to be more concerned by providing / providing safety equipment for journalists / journalists in all coverage, especially coverage involving mass / demonstrations," said Ayu.