PWI Central Board Condemns Hotman Paris for 'Do You Have a Brain?' Remark, Demands Apology

The Central Board of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) has condemned a statement by lawyer Hotman Paris, which it considers demeaning to journalists. PWI stated that the journalistic profession, when carrying out its duties, is protected by law.

PWI Central Board Chairman Akhmad Munir said that asking questions to sources is an inseparable part of journalistic duties. Therefore, every source, including advocates, has the right to answer or refuse to answer questions, but must maintain communication ethics.

‘Everyone has the right to express an opinion, answer or refuse to answer a journalist’s questions. However, there is no reason to demean the dignity of the journalistic profession while they are carrying out their duties. Journalists work for the public interest and are protected by the Press Law,’ said Akhmad Munir in a statement on Sunday (19/7/2026).

According to him, PWI Central does not dispute the legal defence provided by an advocate for their client. However, that defence must not be delivered in a way that demeans other professions or intimidates journalists who are working.

‘PWI Central is not entering into the substance of the legal case that is currently of public concern. Our stance is purely to safeguard the dignity of the journalistic profession and ensure that every member of the press can carry out their journalistic duties freely, professionally, and with dignity without verbal intimidation from anyone,’ he stressed.

Akhmad Munir stated that advocates and journalists are two professions that both have strategic roles in a state of law and democracy. He added that the two professions must respect each other and maintain ethics in every interaction in the public sphere.

In connection with the incident, PWI Central has asked Advocate Hotman Paris Hutapea to provide a clarification to the public and to convey an apology to members of the press. This step is considered important to maintain good relations between the advocate and journalist professions and to build a healthy democratic climate.

‘We do not question the right of any advocate to defend their client. However, that defence must be conducted with respect for other professions. Criticism of a journalist’s questions is normal, but it must be delivered politely, professionally, and without demeaning the dignity of press members,’ said Akhmad Munir.

PWI Central also reminded all Indonesian journalists to continue carrying out their duties professionally, independently, accurately, and fairly, guided by the Journalistic Code of Ethics. The organisation will continue to exercise its function of defending and protecting every journalist who experiences intimidation, harassment, threats, or other actions that hinder journalistic work.

‘A free press is not born out of fear, but out of the guarantee that journalists can work professionally without intimidation. Respecting journalists means respecting the public’s right to information. We hope this incident becomes a lesson for all so that the relationship between press members and all sources remains based on mutual respect and upholding ethics,’ concluded Akhmad Munir.

Previously, the Legal Journalists Association (Iwakum) had also condemned the statement by advocate Hotman Paris, which was considered to demean the dignity and profession of journalists. Iwakum demanded that Hotman Paris issue a public apology.

This was conveyed by Iwakum Chairman Irfan Kamil in response to Hotman Paris’s press conference after accompanying his client, former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah, who is a corruption suspect, on Friday (17/7). During the press conference, Hotman Paris allegedly uttered the phrase ‘Do you have a brain?’ to a journalist who asked a question on site.

‘We strongly condemn and demand that Hotman Paris apologise for his statements that demeaned journalists and aimed to silence press freedom,’ said Kamil in his statement on Sunday (19/7).