DKI Jakarta IJTI Condemns the Ban on Illegal TPS Coverage in Cilincing

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) Jakarta condemned the ban on coverage of Kompas TV, Beritasatu TV (BTV), and TV One journalists at the Cilincing illegal waste disposal site, North Jakarta, Tuesday afternoon.

"The journalistic work of Indonesian journalists is protected by Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. The prohibition of coverage is a violation of the Press Law, with a penalty of imprisonment of 2 years or a fine of Rp. 500 million," said the Chairman of the DKI Jakarta IJTI Tatang Ziza Putra in a written statement, Wednesday (12/8).

Reporters from Kompas TV, Beritasatu TV and TV One carry out their duties to meet the information needs of the public.

The information collected by IJTI Jakarta, this incident started from the commotion of waste disposal by DKI Jakarta residents.

The public around the Cilincing garbage disposal area, North Jakarta, is uneasy with the waste disposal activities at the Cilincing illegal dump.

Residents asked that the activity be stopped because it was dangerous to health and damaged the surrounding ecosystem.

The Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung assessed that the waste disposal activity in Cilincing was an illegal act, and must be stopped.

The condition was covered by various media, including Kompas TV, Beritasatu TV and TV One. When the coverage process took place on Tuesday afternoon, suddenly a group of people who claimed to be residents of the area approached the reporters.

They objected to the journalistic activities carried out, and asked to be stopped for various reasons.

This action made Kompas TV, Beritasatu TV and TV One unable to carry out their activities. The process of coverage, and live report activities cannot be carried out.

Responding to the incident, the Head of the DKI Jakarta IJTI Tatang Ziza Putra asked the public to understand journalistic work.

If there are things that concern the news that are considered wrong, the public should give the right to respond, or report to the Press Council, not prohibit it when the coverage process takes place.

"IJTI DKI Jakarta asks the security forces to follow up on this incident of prohibiting coverage. Do not let violations of the Press Law be allowed, because it will be impunity," he said.

If there is an attempt to obstruct, it is the same as obstructing the public from obtaining the right to information, Tatang warned.

"Moreover, the coverage that is carried out is a public issue, namely about waste disposal in Jakarta. In addition, the coverage is based on public concern over waste disposal activities that are not in place. Banning journalists from covering, injuring the public's right to obtain information," concluded Tatang.