Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – The Nurani Bangsa Movement (GNB) has highlighted the increasing threats to press freedom during the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. GNB member and Chair of the Indonesian Church Association (PGI) Jacky Manuputty stated that they have faced violence, terror, and threats.

"Press freedom, as a pillar of democracy, is also eroded. Journalists who are critical of government policies face terror and intimidation," he said at the GNB national message press conference at Grha Pemuda, within the Jakarta Cathedral complex, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

He mentioned that journalists face work obstruction and property confiscation. Officials also tend to suppress media independence when conducting government social control. Acts of terror and intimidation also occur, such as the delivery of animal carcasses and vandalism of cars.

The GNB also urged state organizers, the government, and law enforcement officers to uphold and nurture the principle of civilian supremacy. As pillars of democracy and the embodiment of the reform mandate, the police focus on their duties of maintaining security and public order, enforcing the law, and providing protection and comfort to the public.

"Meanwhile, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) upholds national sovereignty and defends the state," he said.

Based on data from the Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) on cases of violence against journalists from January to mid-October 2025, there were 70 recorded cases of violence in various forms, including physical violence, terror and intimidation, and threats.

Violence against journalists in the form of physical violence remains the most common, totaling 23 cases. This is followed by 20 cases of digital attacks, 15 cases of terror and intimidation, seven cases of threats, and one case of coverage bans.

Minister of State Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi, has not responded to Tempo's questions regarding Prabowo-Gibran's commitment to guarantee press freedom.

However, on September 29, amid the extensive coverage of the revocation of the ID card of a CNN Indonesia journalist, Yusuf Permana, the Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, claimed that Prabowo highly upholds press freedom.

"He (Prabowo) still maintains, highly maintains openness and press freedom," said Yusuf.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2080234/gnb-flags-rising-risks-to-press-freedom-in-the-prabowo-er