Central PWI Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun: The Case Of The Director Of JAKTV Should Be Through The Press Council, Not Arrested

General Chairperson of the Central PWI Hendry Ch Bangun (VOI)

JAKARTA The General Chairperson of the Central Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), Hendry Ch Bangun, is concerned about the arrest of the Director of the JAKTV News, Tian Bahtiar. The AGO accused the person concerned of spreading a negative narrative related to the investigation by the Attorney General's Office in a number of corruption cases.

According to him, this case should be resolved through a press ethical mechanism, not directly concurrently or criminalized.

In my opinion, the news is in the realm of ethics, no matter how severe it is. If it is considered bad intentions, it is given the right to answer or asked to apologize. If necessary, you can ask for an assessment from the Press Council. Not immediately arrested," said Hendry, Tuesday, April 22.

Hendry's statement responded to the explanation from the Attorney General's Office as published in the media which stated that Tian Bahtiar received a fee of Rp478 million to spread opinions that were considered to have cornered the AGO regarding three major cases: tin corruption, CPO exports, and sugar imports.

Hendry emphasized that the Attorney General's Office does not have the competence to assess a journalistic work. According to him, the institution authorized to do so is the Press Council, as regulated in the Press Law No. 40 of 1999.

"The assessment of the news, whether it is negative, bad intentions, or partisans, is in the hands of the Press Council. Not another institution," said Hendry, who is also a member of the 2016-2019 Press Council and Deputy Chairman of the 2019-2022 Press Council.

He also reminded that between the Press Council and the National Police, there has been a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) even strengthened by the Cooperation Agreement (PKS), which agreed that the Press Council must first be asked for an opinion if there are parties who want to criminalize journalistic works.

"MoU and PKS are binding on all parties. The Attorney General's Office should respect it, not immediately detain journalists without involving the Press Council," said Hendry.

Regarding the alleged payment that went into Tian Bahtiar's personal account, Hendry stated that it should first be clarified to the media management where he works. If it is proven to be deviant, then administrative sanctions can be imposed by his superiors, for example in the form of suspension.

"If news is considered obstruction of justice, that is a wrong assessment. The press has the right to control power. Even if there is bad faith, it must be proven through an ethical mechanism, not directly prosecuted," he explained.

Hendry emphasized that if this kind of approach continues, there will be a risk of criminalization against the press. "The prosecutor's office can read news one by one, then conclude for themselves and make journalists suspects," he said.

Hendry hopes that the Attorney General's Office will be wise. "The Central PWI hopes that the Attorney General's Office will respect the Press Law, which President Prabowo Subianto said during his visit to PWI, is an important part of our democracy," concluded Hendry.