Journalists peacefully protest in Denpasar over military allegedly attacking TV reporters in Sumatra and Java

Dozens of journalists held a peaceful protest in Denpasar on Tuesday at the Catur Muka monument to show solidarity against the alleged attacks of Indonesian military on journalists in Medan, Sumatra and Madiun, East Java.

Sony Midsananto, a journalist working for television station NET TV was allegedly assaulted and intimidated by military in Madiun on Sunday when he was reporting on Islamic new year celebrations. While previously in August, several journalists reported of being attacked in Medan by members of the Air Force.

Many of the journalists demonstrating in Denpasar are members of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI). 

AJI Bali Chairman Hari Puspita said his organization strongly condemns the acts of violence of the Indonesian military against the NET TV journalist in Madiun, who should have been under protection of Press Law No. 40 of 1999. 

“The violence experienced by the NET TV journalist is a human rights violation against the freedom of the press and the journalism profession as a conduit of information to the public, protected and guaranteed by law,” Puspita said in Denpasar on Tuesday, as quoted by Okezone

“We demand that the Brawijaya Military Command and Military Police be professional and follow through in resolving cases of violence against this journalist.” 

Bali journalists are also urging that the Press Council and the National Commission on Human Rights make a special effort to prevent military violence against journalists. 



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