Tempo's Response to NasDem's Protest Regarding Magazine Cover

Tempo’s editorial team has responded to the action taken by several NasDem party cadres who visited Tempo’s office in Palmerah Barat, West Jakarta, on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. The action was triggered by the main report and cover of this week’s magazine edition, which featured a caricature of NasDem General Chairman Surya Paloh.

Editor-in-Chief of Tempo, Setri Yasra, stated that the editorial team appreciates the NasDem cadres’ step to directly convey their aspirations. “Differences in perspectives on reporting are a normal matter in democracy,” said Setri in an official statement on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

NasDem party members held a peaceful demonstration from around 12:00 WIB to 14:20 WIB. They demanded a public apology, clarification on the reporting deemed inaccurate, and a commitment to upholding journalistic ethics. During the action, participants, predominantly wearing dark blue attributes, also carried various demand banners.

In response to the substance of the demands, Setri emphasised that the main report published had undergone a journalistic process. “The reporting material published by Tempo is journalistic work that has gone through verification processes, is accountable, and based on the Journalistic Code of Ethics,” she said.

Tempo, she added, also opens space for clarification from parties who object to the content of the report. “Tempo has and will always provide space for NasDem Party or any party to provide clarification on the findings in the main report,” said Setri.

In accordance with Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press, she said, reporting disputes should be resolved through available mechanisms. “We encourage that every input on journalistic products can be resolved through available mechanisms, namely through the Press Council,” she said.

Nevertheless, the editorial team expressed an apology for the impact caused by the main report’s cover. “Regarding the impact of the main report’s cover that offends NasDem General Chairman Surya Paloh and NasDem party cadres, we apologise,” said Setri.

This action was triggered by the Tempo Magazine cover in the 12 April 2026 edition, which bore the headline “PT Nasdem Indonesia Raya Tbk”. The cover featured a caricature of Surya Paloh wearing a white shirt without a jacket and shoes. The illustration raised the issue of the merger between NasDem Party and Gerindra Party, linked to President-elect Prabowo Subianto.