Protection of Journalists

Press freedom is part of the freedom of expression guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia, and journalists are its main pillar. This page sets out the standard of protection Komodo Times applies to its journalists, following the Standard for the Protection of the Journalistic Profession adopted by the Press Council and press organisations on 25 April 2008 under Article 15(2)(f) of Law Number 40 of 1999 on the Press.

Principles

1. This protection applies to journalists who observe the Journalistic Code of Ethics while carrying out journalistic work that serves the public's right to information.
2. Journalistic work means seeking, obtaining, holding, storing, processing, and conveying information through the mass media. In doing that work a journalist is protected by the state, by society, and by the press company.
3. Journalists are protected from violence and from the seizure or confiscation of their working equipment, and must not be obstructed or intimidated by anyone.
4. Journalistic work is protected from censorship in any form.
5. A journalist assigned to a dangerous area or a conflict zone must be provided with a written assignment letter, adequate safety equipment, insurance, and the necessary knowledge and training, at the expense of the press company.
6. On assignment in an armed conflict, a journalist who has identified themselves as a journalist and does not carry the identity of a party to the conflict must be treated as neutral and given legal protection.
7. In any proceeding concerning journalistic work, the press company is represented by its responsible editor.
8. When giving evidence in such a proceeding, the responsible editor may be questioned only about material already published. Journalists may invoke the right to refuse disclosure in order to protect a source.
9. Owners and management of a press company are forbidden to compel a journalist to produce a story that breaches the Journalistic Code of Ethics or the law.

How Komodo Times applies this

• Written assignments. Coverage in volatile areas, mass protests, disasters, and conflicts is carried out under a written assignment letter, with a communication plan and an extraction point agreed before departure.
• Safety first. No story is worth a life. A journalist may withdraw from a dangerous location without penalty, and that decision is respected by the newsroom.
• Legal support. A Komodo Times journalist facing a legal demand, criminal complaint, or civil suit over journalistic work carried out within the code is supported by the publisher, PT. Kabar Delapan Belas. Disputes over journalistic work are pursued through the Press Law and the Press Council, and are not shifted onto the journalist personally.
• Protection of sources. The identity of a source granted confidentiality is protected by the newsroom, including against outside pressure. Details are in Editorial Standards & Fact Verification.
• No imposed content. The publisher has no authority to order a story published or withheld. See Ownership, Funding & Independence.

Reporting violence against journalists

Violence, seizure of equipment, intimidation, or obstruction of journalistic work suffered by a Komodo Times journalist is reported at the first opportunity to the Responsible Editor, Mursyid Sonsang, at +6281334873432 or redaksi@komodotimes.com, and passed on to the Press Council and law enforcement. Members of the public who witness such an incident may use the same channels.

This page is reviewed regularly by the Komodo Times newsroom. Responsible Editor: Mursyid Sonsang.