Samsir, Jakarta – The Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) has sharply criticised President Prabowo Subianto who they consider to have belittled the role of journalists at plenary cabinet meeting on January 22. Prabowo's statement sparked controversy after he asked media crews to leave the room with an analogy that was considered inappropriate.
At the meeting, Prabowo likened the relationship between journalists and public officials to that of a child and a parent. The remark sparked anger among members of the press, who saw it as an insult to the position of journalists as the fourth pillar of democracy.
"The president's joke that equates the relationship between journalists and public officials to that of children and parents greatly belittles the role of the press in maintaining democracy and the right to information. This reflects an arrogance and antipathy towards press freedom", said LBH Pers Executive Director Ade Wahyudin in a written statement on January 27.
Wahyudin emphasised that press freedom is guaranteed by Article 28F of the 1945 Constitution and Article 4 of Law Number 40/1999 on the Press. As a democratic country, the government is obliged to protect the press, not weaken its role.
"The right to information is a human right that must be protected. The press functions as a bridge between society and the government, not subordination", he added.
Closed meetings: Excuse or neglect of press rights?
The LBH Pers acknowledges that plenary cabinet meetings can be held behind closed doors in accordance with Article 8 Paragraph (1) of Government Regulation Number 61/1951 on the Council of Ministers. However, the president's method of conveying this was deemed inappropriate and had the potential to tarnish the dignity of the press.
"Although the reason given for the closed meeting is legally acceptable, the delivery accompanied by derogatory jokes only adds to the injuries against democracy", Wahyudin said. He also highlighted the potential negative impact of the statement on press freedom in Indonesia.
The LBH Pers is therefore urging President Prabowo to immediately apologise publicly to journalists and the public. This apology is considered important in order to restore public trust in the government in protecting press freedom.
"The president should show respect for democracy and human rights, not set a bad example that could undermine trust in press institutions", said Wahudin.
This is not the first time Prabowo has made controversial remarks about journalists. In 2018, he said that journalists with small salaries have the same hearts as ordinary people, but insinuated that they were not yet part of the elite. He made similar remarks again when he spoke in front of the cabinet last week.
"Disrespectful treatment of the press is a real threat to press freedom and democracy. If left unchecked, this will create a bad precedent for the relationship between the government and the media in the future", Wahudin concluded.
The incident has added to the critical record on President Prabowo's attitude towards the press. The public hopes that the President will be able to respect the role of journalists as guardians of democracy and public transparency.
- The Legal Aid Institute for the Press statement can be read in Bahasa Indonesia here: https://lbhpers.org/2025/01/27/siaran-pers-presiden-harus-minta-maaf-terhadap-analogi-sesat-yang-merendahkan-peran-jurnalis/
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "LBH Pers Desak Presiden Prabowo Subianto Minta Maaf Atas Pernyataan yang Dinilai Merendahkan Jurnalis".]
