A Snapshot of Violence and Criminalization Against Journalists in Indonesia: Enhancing the Safety of Journalists

The global importance of the press and freedom of speech in promoting democracy, good governance, and human development is widely recognized. Unfortunately, despite being crucial for the advancement of democracy, violence against journalists in Indonesia and other countries continues to increase. In addition to encountering physical, psychological, and sexual harm, journalists also confront the legal consequences imposed by provisions of certain Laws that can potentially subject them to criminal charges. This paper seeks to explain violent incidents and potential articles in the existing and the Indonesian New Penal Code, the Information and Electronic Transaction Act, and the Personal Data Protection Act that might be employed to criminalize journalists. The imposition of these laws may significantly impact press freedom, impartiality, and information integrity, they are inextricably linked to press freedom and media independence limitations. A normative legal approach is used in this study. Data were obtained from existing laws, online data, research studies, and contemporary books. The study employs a descriptive-qualitative analysis. The study’s findings indicate that violence against journalists is prevalent in different parts of Indonesia. Journalists often encounter infringements upon their rights to access information by employing physical or psychological means such as intimidation, harassment, and various forms of violence, including the possibility of being imprisoned by employing articles stipulated in some Indonesian Laws. Threats of criminalization, violence and attacks against journalists will create a fearful climate for media professionals, impeding the free circulation of information, opinions, and ideas for all citizens.