The Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) has\ncondemned remarks by Hotman Paris Hutapea, lawyer for former Deputy\nAttorney General for Special Crimes Febri Ardiansyah, which were deemed\nto insult, demean and corner journalists carrying out their work in the\nfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe condemn all forms of verbal and non-verbal actions by any party\nthat demean the dignity of the journalism profession,\u201d said IJTI\nChairman General Herik Kurniawan in a written statement on Monday (20\nJuly).<\/p>\n
He said press freedom and journalistic activity are one of the main\npillars of democracy protected by law.<\/p>\n
Journalists work not for personal interests, but to fulfil the\npublic\u2019s right to correct, balanced and accurate information.<\/p>\n
Herik said that a journalist asking critical, sharp questions or\nseeking confirmation from a source is not a form of intimidation or\ntrouble-making.<\/p>\n
\u201cAsking for information is a professional obligation of journalists\nto produce balanced news coverage, covering both sides,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He explained that in carrying out their duties, journalists are bound\nby the Journalistic Code of Ethics.<\/p>\n
Regarding the obligation to test information and act independently,\nthis is regulated in Article 1 of the Code: \u201cIndonesian journalists act\nindependently, producing accurate, balanced news in good faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Article 3 states: \u201cIndonesian journalists always test\ninformation, report in a balanced manner, do not mix facts and\njudgemental opinion, and apply the presumption of innocence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIJTI reminds everyone of the importance of mutual respect and\nmaintaining ethical communication between professions. Issuing\nstatements that demean another profession is tantamount to violating the\nvalues of professionalism itself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
IJTI urged all parties to respect journalists carrying out their\nprofessional duties.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, IJTI reminded all elements of society that if there are\nobjections to journalistic products or journalists\u2019 conduct in the\nfield, the resolution mechanism is constitutionally regulated through\nLaw No.\u00a040 of 1999 on the Press, namely through the Right of Reply, the\nRight of Correction, or by reporting to the Press Council, not through\nverbal intimidation or professional abuse in public spaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe instruct all IJTI members and television journalists across\nIndonesia to continue working professionally, comply with the\nJournalistic Code of Ethics, and not be afraid to convey the truth in\nthe public interest,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hotman Paris previously held a press conference after accompanying\nhis client, former Attorney General\u2019s Office official Febrie Adriansyah,\nwho was questioned as a corruption suspect on Friday, 17 July.<\/p>\n
During that press conference, Hotman Paris, among other things,\nsnapped \u201cdo you have a brain?\u201d at a journalist carrying out their\njournalistic duties at the Attorney General\u2019s Office.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ijti-condemns-hotman-pariss-remarks-as-disparaging-to-journalists-1784512291", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }