PWI Hotman Paris Insurance Center for Harassment against Journalists

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) officially reported lawyer Hotman Paris to the Polda Metro Jaya, Monday, July 20, 2026 evening. The report was made following Hotman's statement which was considered to harass the profession of journalists in a video that had circulated on social media.

Director of PWI Center for Non-Violence of Journalists, Edison Siahaan, said the report had been received with the number LP/B/5291/VII/2026/SPKT/Polda Metro Jaya. According to him, investigators have received evidence in the form of video footage which is the basis for reporting.

"We hope that this report can be followed up by the Polda Metro Jaya. It is likely to be handled by the Cyber Directorate," Edison told reporters on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Edison said PWI reported Hotman with allegations of violations of Article 242 of the Criminal Code regarding hate speech against groups. He also asked all members of the press to accompany the legal process so that the case could run openly and transparently.

Although Hotman Paris has apologized through his personal Instagram account, Edison considers that it does not necessarily remove the alleged criminal act that has occurred.

"Humanely, we accept the apology. But an apology does not eliminate the suspicion of criminal acts that have been committed. It may be a mitigating consideration, the judge will judge later," he said.

However, PWI does not rule out a peaceful settlement if there is good faith from the Hotman Paris side.

"Basically we don't want to imprison people. If there is a sincere agreement and good intentions, of course it can be discussed," he said.

However, until the report was made, Edison revealed that Hotman Paris had never contacted the journalist organization or the journalists who were at the scene to apologize directly.

"Until now there has been no communication. The apology was only conveyed through a video on Instagram. There was no direct communication to the organization or the journalist concerned," said Edison.

PWI hopes that this case will be a lesson for all parties to be more careful in making statements in public spaces and to continue to respect the profession of journalists.

"So this is also a lesson for all of us to be more careful about our mouths, don't just blab-blab-blab like we are the best," he concluded.

It is known that this report followed Hotman's sentence "Do you have a brain or not?" to journalists at a press conference at the Attorney General's Office on Friday, July 17, 2026.

The press conference was held after Hotman accompanied the examination of his client, namely the former Jampidsus Febrie Adriansyah who had the status of a suspect in the alleged corruption case.

This then drew public attention and criticism because of Hotman's attitude which was considered to be less respectful of journalists during the question and answer session.