Restrictions On Press Freedom Show The Character Of Oritarianism

Illustration of the restraint of press freedom. (Special)

JAKARTA The Executive Director of LBH Pers, Mustafa Layong, stated that information on the revocation of the palace coverage card belonging to a national media reporter was true, meaning that the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat had hindered journalistic work.

"We have received information about the revocation of the identity card. If it is true because of MBG's question motive, it is a journalistic job barrier," he said, Sunday, September 28, 2025.

According to him, the revocation of the coverage card includes efforts to silence press freedom and intervention in the freedom of thought of journalists on duty at the presidential office. The methods carried out by the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat made reporters only work as submiters of the Palace's message, so they are not free, let alone critical and supervise the work of officials.

Everyone must position the press as equal partners, as supervisors, and conveyers of information. The press must be independent and cannot be regulated by anyone, let alone regulate what is permissible and should not be asked," Mustafa said.

He emphasized that the freedom to ask questions, opinions and expressions is one of the important aspects in the democratic system. As a democratic country, the government is obliged to provide protection against press freedom.

"If the government restricts press freedom, it shows that the country is no longer loyal to democracy, but rather shows authoritarianism," added Mustafa.

Contacted separately, the General Chairperson of the Central Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI), Herik Kurniawan, admitted that he had received a report related to this incident. He stated that IJTI is trying to open communication with all parties, including accompanying reporters concerned to meet the Press Council. "The plan is that tomorrow IJTI will provide assistance to those concerned to meet with the Press Council," he added.

The Deputy for Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, has not responded until this news was revealed.

Previously, the Palace coverage identity card belonging to a CNN Indonesia reporter was revoked after the person concerned asked President Prabowo Subianto about the issue of the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program. This incident occurred after the president arrived from an overseas visit at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, Saturday, September 27, 2025.

The Instagram account @warungjurnalis shows a screenshot of a message allegedly sent by the reporter. "Good evening, brothers and sisters, as of tonight I am no longer a palace journalist because my ID Card has been taken by the Press Bureau because I am considered to have asked questions outside the context of the event. Therefore, I have permission to leave this group. Thank you very much, until I meet in other coverage, "the message reads.

Meanwhile, as reported by Tempo, a statement stated that previously the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat had instructed journalists to only ask questions regarding Prabowo's visit abroad. On that occasion, the President briefly explained the results of his meeting with a number of heads of state at the United Nations General Assembly (UN) session.

However, a CNN Indonesia reporter then asked whether the president gave special instructions to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) regarding the MBG program, which recently drew the spotlight after the poisoning case spread in a number of areas. Prabowo also gave a short answer. "I monitor the development. After this, I will directly call the Head of BGN and several officials," he said.

After the question and answer session, the Press Bureau summoned CNN Indonesia reporters and expressed objections to the questions raised. The question was deemed inconsistent with the direction and outside the context of the President's agenda. The Press Bureau then revoked the reporter's palace coverage card. Without the card, journalists cannot access the area within the Presidential Palace.