Maluku Police Affirm No Criminalization Of Journalists

JAKARTA - The Maluku Regional Police (Polda) emphasized that they had never criminalized journalists related to a news report.

The Head of Public Relations of the Maluku Police, Kombes Pol. M. Roem Ohoirat, conveyed this in Ambon, Saturday (29/7) in response to reports by a number of media accusing the police of criminalizing journalists.

"In fact, we, the police, really appreciate the journalistic works or products of journalists," he said, quoted by Antara, Sunday.

"The National Police really understands and respects the profession of journalists in accordance with Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the press," said Roem

He said that the law also regulates the rights and obligations, namely reporting events and opinions by respecting religious norms and people's decency and the principle of presumption of innocence.

"So of course the news must also be objective, proportional and accountable both in terms of social norms and legal norms," he said.

He admitted that the Maluku Regional Police actually wanted to get a complete explanation of this because there were reports from the public who also had legal rights and were protected by law.

"Later on, the Regional Police will definitely coordinate with the Press Council in handling the case," he said.

Ohoirat emphasized that the invitation to clarify against Porostimur.com journalists was carried out only to make clear the cases that were being complained by the public regarding the alleged defamation of the governor's wife.

"Porostur.com journalists were really invited, but not for criminalization. The invitations sent were only for clarification regarding reports of defamation reported by the public," explained Ohoirat.

The invitation to journalists to be questioned in a case that was complained by the public was not the first time. So far, a number of journalists have been invited and some have even been represented by their respective media leaders to provide information.

"Several journalists from various media have also been invited to be asked for clarification, some even have their own media leaders who come," he explained.

Not only reporters, Ohoirat admitted that he was a member of the Maluku Provincial DPRD, Samson Attapary, was also invited to be asked for clarification regarding the case he complained about.

"Members of the Maluku DPRD Samson Attapary have also been invited for questioning, and he came yesterday. So we reiterate that the invitation to journalists is not for criminalization, but just to make clear the cases that are complained by the public regarding defamation reports, that's all," said Ohoirat.