False: CNN Journalist Arrested for Reporting on Free Nutritious Meals Programme, Accused of Exposing National Shame

A social media post on Facebook and X falsely claimed that a CNN journalist was arrested after exposing a poisoning case in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The post alleged that the journalist, named Valencia, was detained by police for exposing alleged problems in the MBG programme and accused of damaging the nation’s reputation.

The original claim stated: “CNN journalist Valencia exposed MBG poisonings in front of the President and is now detained for exposing national shame.” The accompanying narrative suggested that exposing public crimes was being treated as exposing national shame and damaging the President’s image as MBG programme CEO.

However, fact-checking reveals this is false. No credible media outlets reported that a CNN journalist was arrested for covering the MBG poisoning case. The photographs circulating with the post are actually ANTARA news agency documentation of a different incident involving CNN Indonesia journalist Diana Valencia, in which her press credentials were temporarily revoked.

The incident occurred on Saturday, 27 September 2024, when the Presidential Press Bureau withdrew Diana Valencia’s press credentials during coverage of President Prabowo’s return from a state visit at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta. However, the Presidential Press Bureau subsequently apologised and agreed to return the press credentials.

The Head of the Bureau of Press, Media and Information (BPMI) expressed regret over the revocation of the press credentials. Therefore, the narrative claiming that a CNN journalist was arrested for reporting on the MBG case and accused of exposing national shame is false information or disinformation.