AJI Asks For The Head Of Police's Telegram To Prohibit Media Coverage Of The Arrogance Of The Apparatus To Be Revoked

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo (Photo: Indonesian Police Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has asked for the Head of Police's Telegram Letter which prohibits the media from covering the arrogance of the apparatus to be revoked. This is because this telegram has the potential to hinder the performance of journalists.

"AJI asks that the provision be revoked if it is intended to limit the work of journalists," said AJI chairman, Sasmito Madrim, in a written statement to VOI, Tuesday, April 6.

He said the police are often the actors who commit acts of violence against the public, including journalists.

Thus, this telegram, especially on the first point, has the potential to hinder journalists' work. Moreover, at that point it was written that the media were prohibited from broadcasting police actions that featured violence.

Instead of issuing this kind of telegram, Sasmito assessed the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, was focused on curbing his men who committed violence while on duty. One of them is by processing all members of the Police who were involved in violence.

"The latest is the case of the journalist Tempo Nurhadi in Surabaya. It is not the other way around that 'polishing' police activities to become humanists," he said.

Previously, the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, published a secret telegram (STR) regarding the prohibition of media broadcasting attempts or actions by police officers to display arrogance.

The order, which is registered under the number ST / 750 / IV / HUM.3.4.5. / 2021, was signed by the Head of Public Relations Division, Irjen Argo Yuwono, on behalf of the National Police Chief. STR is a direction (Jukrah) for all levels of the police.

The National Police STR contains nine prohibited points. The whole content concerns limiting the publication of violent activities.

"The media are prohibited from broadcasting police efforts / actions that display arrogance and violence. Then are advised to broadcast police activities that are assertive but humanist," the STR wrote as quoted on Tuesday, April 6.

In the STR, the National Police Chief also ordered all levels in public relations not to provide records of the police interrogation process in investigating suspects, including reconstruction activities.

In addition, the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit also stated that he asked not to re-broadcast rape or sexual crimes, to disguise the faces and identities of victims and families of sexual crimes, as well as the perpetrators.

"Not showing explicit and detailed scenes of suicide and the identity of the perpetrators. Including, not showing scenes of brawls or fights in detail and repeatedly," he wrote.

The National Police Chief also requested that the arrest of criminals not include the media. That activity, too, may not be broadcast live. In addition, documentation of prosecution is carried out by competent INP personnel

"Not displaying the procedures for the manufacture and activation of explosives must not be shown in detail and explicitly," wrote the STR.

However, when confirmed, the National Police Public Relations Division Karo Penmas, Brigadier General Rusdi Hartono, confirmed the STR. But the order was specifically for the field of public relations across the ranks of the Police.

"STR is aimed at the head of public relations, it is a directive and direction from the Headquarters to the region, only for internal purposes," said Brigadier General Rusdi.