Syamsul Huda M Suhari, Gorontalo – The Gorontalo branches of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the Indonesian Television Journalist Association (IJTI) and the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) reported on Tuesday a violent attack made against journalists to the Gorontalo Police.

"We demand that the police bring those responsible for the attack to the justice. The police should also guarantee the security of journalists who are carrying out their duties," IJTI Gorontalo chairman Zainal Ahmad said.

AJI's advocacy head, Christopel Paino, said that on the night of the attack, the police seemed to be powerless in the face of the angry mob, which ultimately stormed the studio of the local state-owned television station, TVRI, while a program was being airing.

Gorontalo Police chief Brig. Gen. Budi Waseso acknowledged that his officers had been ill-prepared in dealing with the mob. He added, however, that he would not allow a similar incident to happen again, especially during the Gorontalo municipal election.

"Any journalist who feels threatened or intimidated while performing their journalistic work should immediately come to us. We will provide protection," Budi said.

Thousands of supporters of incumbent Mayor Adhan Dhambea and Deputy Mayor Indrawanto Hassan ransacked the TVRI studio on Monday night. They were protesting against a TVRI report about the State Administrative Court's ruling against the pair.

Several TVRI journalists and other journalists who tried to calm the situation were beaten and intimidated by the protesters.(nai/dic)