PWI Forms Anti-Violence Task Force For Journalists, Reveals Karo And Labuhanbatu Cases

Head of Central PWI Hendry Ch Builds the form of a Journalist Violence Task Force. (Doc PWI)

JAKARTA - General Chairperson of the Central Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), Hendry Ch Bangun, confirmed that the Central PWI had formed a Anti-Violence Journalists Task Force (Satgas) to uncover violence against journalists in Labuhanbatu and Karo, North Sumatra.

"The Central PWI formed a special anti-violent task force for journalists to assist in the disclosure and to be prosecuted for acts of violence against journalists in Labuhanbatu and Karo, North Sumatra, as fairly as possible," said Hendry in a press release in Jakarta, Wednesday (3/7/2024) afternoon.

The special anti-violent task force for journalists consists of 3 (three) Central PWI administrators, 3 (three) people from PWI North Sumatra, 2 (two) people from PWI Karo, and 2 (two) people from PWI Labuhanbatu. The task force letter has been signed by the central committee and immediately moved to assist in the disclosure of the case.

In addition to forming a task force, the Central PWI also opened humanitarian donations to be channeled to the families of victims of violent journalists in Karo and Labuhanbatu, North Sumatra. Donations are opened starting today and closed on July 10, 2024. Donations can be transferred to Bank BNI accounts with account numbers 0019947892 on behalf of the PWI Foundation Center. "Donations will be handed over to the families of the victims. Hopefully this donation can slightly ease the families of the victims," said Hendry.

Meanwhile, in 2024, it is like the grim frame of press freedom mandated by the law. Two incidents of fire at a journalist's house occurred in Karo and Labuhanbatu Regencies, North Sumatra.

Most recently, the house of online media journalist Tribrata TV, Rico Perfect Pasaribu (40), located in Kabanjahe, Karo Regency, Thursday morning (27/6/2024) caught fire.

Apart from the fire case in Karo, exactly on the same day, Thursday morning (21/3/2024) or 3 months and 6 days apart, Junaidi Marpaung's house, online media journalist Utama News, a member of the North Sumatra PWI in Rantau Prapat City, Labuhanbatu Regency, was burned by an unknown person. Until now this case has not been revealed.

That's why the Anti-Violence Task Force of Journalists, said Hendry Ch Bangun, urged to be formed. "Through this task force, violence against journalists is hopefully minimized," he hoped. *