The Terror Of The Pig's Head To Tempo, The Press Council Asks The Police To Investigate The Sender

Chairman of the Press Council Ninik Rahayu (right) during a press conference at the Press Council Office, Jakarta, Friday (21/3/2025). (ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya)

JAKARTA - The freedom of the press in Indonesia has again been emphasized as risky and close to intimidation following the Tempo media office receiving terror in the form of a pig head shipment on Wednesday, March 19.

The suspicious package was addressed to Francisca journalist Christy Rosana alias Cica, a Tempo political desk journalist.

For what happened, the Press Council asked law enforcement officials, especially the National Police, to thoroughly investigate the sending of terror to Tempo media.

"Regarding this incident, the Press Council asked law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the terrorists. Why? Because if allowed, threats and terror like this will continue to repeat themselves," said Chairman of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu, at a press conference in Jakarta, Friday, March 21, as reported by Antara.

Ninik explained that press independence is a form of people's sovereignty and is guaranteed as human rights as stipulated in Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. Therefore, the Press Council regretted the incident.

According to Ninik, journalists and the mass media could make mistakes in carrying out their duties. However, terrorizing journalists and the media for these mistakes cannot be justified.

Those who object or are harmed by journalistic products can actually go through the mechanism regulated in the Press Law and the Journalistic Code of Ethics, namely using the right to answer or right to correction.

The Press Council recommended Tempo to report the terror incident to security forces and law enforcement. This is because terror and intimidation are criminal acts.

"I need to convey that at 10:00 WIB, friends from the Journalists and Tempo Safety Committee have also formally reported it to the Police," said Ninik.

Furthermore, the Press Council appealed to all parties not to use methods that are not in line with press independence in objecting to news or journalistic works.

On the other hand, the Press Council appealed to journalists and the mass media not to be afraid of various threats and to continue to work professionally.

"Pers also remains critical in conveying the message of truth and entering it to policy makers so that people can get complete information and from various parties," said Ninik.