PWI Submits Additional Evidence to Police in Journalist Insult Case
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The central board of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) underwent questioning and submitted additional evidence to Polda Metro Jaya investigators regarding the alleged demeaning of the journalist profession by an individual with the initials HP.
PWI Head of Advocacy and Development, Anrico Pasaribu, stated that the examination was conducted to complete the official report filed by PWI on Monday (20/7) concerning an incident at the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung).
“Today we were questioned to complete the report and handed over several additional pieces of evidence to the investigators, so that this matter becomes crystal clear and serves as a lesson for all,” he said when met in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Anrico explained that the additional evidence submitted includes video recordings, transcripts of the reported individual’s statements, and several news channel links containing the alleged derogatory remarks made against journalists during an activity at the Attorney General’s Office.
Besides completing the evidence, the examination agenda also confirmed PWI’s legal standing as a press professional organisation that oversees journalists.
“We are taking this step not on a personal basis, but as an organisational responsibility to ensure that the professional duties of journalists are protected as stipulated in Article 8 of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press,” he explained.
Responding to the apology that has been conveyed by the reported party, Andrico stated that PWI appreciates and accepts the goodwill. However, this does not deter PWI from continuing to pursue its ongoing legal rights.
“Regarding the apology, we accept and appreciate it. However, the legal process is a legal right that we continue to exercise. We fully entrust the investigators to assess whether the elements of evidence in this case are met,” he said.
He hopes this legal process can provide legal certainty while affirming the importance of mutual respect between sources and members of the press in carrying out journalistic duties.