Following mass protests over Indonesia’s recently passed Military Law, fresh concerns are emerging about the state of media freedom. A proposed update to the Broadcasting Law and a newly implemented police regulation—Perpol No. 3/2025—have alarmed civil society organisations, who warn that these moves could undermine journalism and roll back democratic advances.

Proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Law have drawn serious objections from journalist networks. A particular point of concern is Article 50B(2)(c), which prohibits the exclusive airing of investigative journalism—widely seen as a critical pillar of public accountability.

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) denounced the draft law in a public statement in 2024, describing it as a potential vehicle for indirect censorship. AJI Chair Sasmito Madrim said the clause threatens the spirit of transparency essential to democratic governance. Other watchdog groups, such as the Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) and SAFEnet, and The Journalist Safety Committee (KKJ) have also spoken out against various problematic sections in the bill.

Rising violence and intimidation targeting media workers

In addition to legislative concerns, journalists are increasingly facing intimidation and violence. In March 2025, the newsroom of Tempo received a shocking delivery containing a severed pig’s head and a parcel of rats—believed to be a threat related to their investigative coverage. The terror was not only directed at Tempo’s office, but also personally targeted one of its journalists, Francisca Rosana, whose family also received phone calls and threats from unknown numbers.

Prior to the incident with Tempo, Herry Kabut, a journalist from the local outlet Floresa in East Nusa Tenggara, had also faced violence. According to a report published by Floresa in October 2024, Herry said he was assaulted while documenting the conflict involving a geothermal project in the indigenous region of Poco Leok, Flores. He was accused by the police of inciting unrest among the local indigenous community simply for taking photographs. During the arrest, the police confiscated his phone and examined its contents. As a result of the incident, Herry suffered a swollen temple and bruising on his knee. Marks from the choking also caused injuries to his right jaw and the area around his nose.

Not only physical attacks and threats, the media has also faced digital assaults—such as what happened to Tempo on April 6 2025. The Tempo website experienced a DDoS attack after publishing an investigative report on the involvement of high-ranking state officials in an online gambling case in Cambodia. The digital attack resulted in several news articles becoming inaccessible.

AJI Indonesia has documented more than 1000 instances of violence against journalists since 2006, as reported by ABC News. These incidents included harassment, public exposure of personal details, unjust legal action, and physical attacks, often occurring during investigative coverage or demonstrations.

New police rule raises alarm over oversight of foreign media

The National Police Regulation No. 3/2025, which came into effect on March 10 2025, has further heightened anxieties. It requires foreign journalists to secure a Police Certificate (SKK) before conducting reporting in the country.

According to CNA, this recent police regulation in Indonesia concerning foreign journalist permits has triggered criticism from legal and press groups, who warn it could restrict media access and compromise journalistic freedom. The regulation, signed by Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo on March 10, aims to counter security threats, including espionage and propaganda. However, concerns have arisen over specific clauses requiring foreign journalists to submit personal information and acquire formal approval to report or conduct research.

Although Gen. Listyo clarified that these permits are not compulsory, and reporting without police clearance remains lawful if regulations are followed, critics argue the policy introduces unnecessary bureaucracy. They also warn that it may enable undue restrictions, particularly in sensitive regions like Papua, despite provisions for police protection upon request. 

Amnesty International Indonesia has strongly criticised the regulation, asserting it breaches provisions in the Press Law (No. 40/1999) and the Broadcasting Law (No. 32/2002). The Journalist Safety Committee (KKJ) insists that such oversight belongs to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Press Council, as outlined in Government Regulation No. 49/2005 and Ministerial Regulation No. 42/2009.

KKJ, in a statement via Amnesty International, labelled the regulation a form of legal overreach and a systematic blow to press autonomy. “The police are not authorised to supervise journalistic activity. This is more than a legal overstep—it’s an invitation to repression,” the statement read.

This organisation, comprising various press organisations and NGOs, is urging the government to eliminate Article 5(1) of the regulation and to ensure that all future legal discussions affecting press freedom include the relevant stakeholders. Broader calls from civil society echo this sentiment, warning against the adoption of any legal structures that weaken journalistic standards or foster legal grey areas. 

Jurisdictional overlap could erode accountability

The implementation of Perpol 3/2025 also risks creating confusion over which institutions hold legal authority—potentially opening the door to arbitrary enforcement against media professionals, especially those reporting on contentious topics.

In a democratic country, press freedom is not merely a right for the media and journalists — it is also the public’s right to access information. Indonesia journalism organisations and civil society groups are understandably concerned that the passing of the revised Broadcasting Law could create a blackout in the public information system.