Editors-in-Chief Forum Condemns Hotman Paris for Disparaging Journalists

The Indonesian Editors-in-Chief Forum (Forum Pemred) has issued a stern reprimand to lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea. The Forum Pemred urged Hotman to respect the journalistic profession following his statements during a press conference at the Attorney General’s Office, which were deemed to have degraded the dignity of journalists. Forum Pemred Chairperson Retno Pinasti expressed regret over Hotman Paris’s attitude and manner in responding to media questions while providing information regarding the case of his client, former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah. “The choice of words and the manner in which Hotman Paris Hutapea responded to journalists’ questions were highly unprofessional and demeaned the profession of journalists who are working to carry out the mandate of the Press Law,” Retno said in a written statement in Jakarta on Sunday. Retno emphasised that the act of asking questions is a journalist’s primary instrument for confirming and digging for information from sources. This is an integral part of journalistic work and the principle of verification discipline protected by law. Although sources have the right not to answer, the Forum Pemred considers the response given by Hotman Paris to be highly inappropriate. Among the statements highlighted were the phrase, “Do you have a brain, or not?” and an arrogant attitude that avoided the substance of the questions. “Responding to journalists’ questions in an intimidating manner, both verbally and non-verbally, contradicts the Press Law and the spirit of press freedom,” Retno stressed. In Indonesia, protection for journalistic work is explicitly regulated in Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. Article 8 of the legislation guarantees that journalists receive legal protection in carrying out their profession. The incident occurred when Hotman Paris, as the legal representative of Febrie Adriansyah in a case of alleged corruption and money laundering, held a press conference at the Attorney General’s Office on Friday. On that occasion, Hotman uttered the phrase “Do you have a brain, or not?” when a journalist asked about his client’s feelings after being named a suspect. He also responded to a question regarding an alleged hidden agenda with the phrase, “Ask your grandfather, why ask me.” In response to this, the Forum Pemred urged all parties to safeguard press freedom by mutually respecting each other’s professional ethics. The Forum Pemred affirmed its commitment to protecting the safety and honour of journalists, and to fighting all forms of harassment or attempts to obstruct journalistic work.