Ismira Lutfia – Despite praise from other countries for progress made in democratization, the press in Indonesia ended 2010 on a somber note.
With a rising number of suspicious deaths and acts of violence against journalists, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the Legal Aid Center for the Press (LBH Pers) and the Press Council said in their year-end notes that 2010 was not a good year for freedom of the press in Indonesia.
French-based Reporters Without Borders already sounded the alarm in October when it issued its annual World Press Freedom Index. The survey showed that Indonesia had dropped to 117th position among 178 countries surveyed, down from 100 out of 175 in last year's index.
AJI said in its year-end review that the number of incidents of violence against journalists this year rose to 46 from 37 cases in 2009, while LBH Pers mentioned 37 such cases occurring from January to December. The Press Council counted just 25 cases.
They ranged from murder to non-fatal physical attacks, office ransacking, confiscation of journalists' working tools, intimidation and threats.
In May, Ahmadi, a reporter for the Harian Aceh newspaper, was allegedly assaulted by a former intelligence officer from the Simeuleu District Military Command.
Ahmadi had previously reported allegations that military personnel were complicit in illegal logging in the area. The officer in question is now being tried at a military tribunal and faces charges that carry a maximum of five years in prison.
The most notable case of a journalist killed in the line of duty this year was that of Ridwan Salamun, a contributor for Jakarta-based Sun TV. He was killed while covering a clash between residents of Fiditan village in Tual, Southeast Maluku. He has been declared a suspect in the clash despite being deceased.
Another case is that of Muhammad Syaifullah, who was found dead at his home in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, where he served as the bureau chief for national daily Kompas. His reports focused mainly on environmental issues and deforestation in the province.
The incidents show that the protection of journalists still leaves much to be desired in Indonesia, activists said. "As a democratic and law-abiding administration, the government should pay serious attention to the increasing amount of criminal acts targeting the press," Press Council member Agus Sudibyo said.
He added that based on the council's experience in handling such cases, the government's noncommittal stance in handling cases of violence against the media can be a sign for third parties that they can continue their violent behavior.
AJI noted that the government's negligence in not seeking the alleged perpetrators of attacks on journalists has resulted in ever more attacks.
The organization argued that in the absence of any punitive measures, no deterrent effect is created. At the same time, there is no public awareness campaign to prevent violence against journalists, AJI said.
LBH Pers called on the country's law enforcers to deal with journalist-related cases based on the 1999 Press Law, instead of ordinary rules and regulations – considering the special status of journalists.
"We also call on parties who object to a certain news report to file a complaint with the Press Council or any other journalist association or exercise their right to reply in settling the case," LBH Pers chairman Hendrayana said.
However, AJI also blamed media organizations for the lack of protection offered to journalists. Training on reporting in conflict or disaster zones is insufficient while safety or evacuation protocols for those covering risky beats are practically nonexistent, AJI said.
The Press Council noted that some attacks on journalists were a response to journalists' failure to be professional or comply with the code of ethics.
"Journalists need to have a better comprehension of the code of ethics, a sense of responsibility and professional discipline instilled through trainings," Agus said. "We are working on a code of conduct for journalists reporting from disaster areas," he added.
Bambang Harymurti, the Press Council's deputy chairman, added that the press must make sure that more caution is taken when reporting from disaster areas – partly to prevent journalists from adding to the burden there.