Minister Meutya Hafid Denies Government Ban on Media Coverage of Protests

Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid has stated that the government has never restricted the media from covering and reporting on demonstrations taking place in Indonesia. She said the media is open to reporting any information occurring in Indonesia in accordance with Law Number 40 of 1999 on the Press.

“From the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, we have not imposed any prohibition on the media from carrying out any form of coverage, as long as it adheres to journalistic principles and is within the corridors of the Press Law. So that is not true,” Meutya said at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Monday, 3 August 2026.

This was conveyed in response to circulating rumours that the government was limiting media reporting on demonstrations, which in recent months have been frequently held by members of the public, ranging from labourers to students. Meutya further stated that she actually supports the media in reporting information and facts from the field quickly and accurately to combat hoaxes circulating in the digital space.

Approaching the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day, she noted that a great deal of disinformation is currently spreading in the digital space, causing fear and unrest among the Indonesian public. Therefore, the role of the media is crucial in countering the negative impacts of these hoaxes through precise and accurate reporting amidst the rapid flow of information.

“In fact, Komdigi wants our media colleagues to please cover and report the truth quickly, so as not to give space to incoming disinformation,” Meutya said. This is also in line with a statement from the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) some time ago when students were actively demonstrating in June. On Monday (15/6), the Central KPI stated that the government respects press freedom in reporting national issues, including the student demonstrations that occurred on 12 June 2026, while clarifying social media rumours that national television did not cover the protests.