At least 11 journalists were injured and their equipment was damaged when police used physical force during last week's protests in Indonesia. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for a transparent and independent investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

At least 11 journalists were assaulted by members of the Indonesian Republic Police (Polri) as they covered widespread protests against amendments to a law governing elections in Jakarta, the capital, and the city of Bandung on 22 August. The police forced these journalists to delete their coverage of the demonstrations, while their equipment was damaged.

“Nothing justifies this police brutality against journalists, as well as the damage to their equipment. We call on Indonesian authorities to conduct transparent and independent investigations into these acts of violence and guarantee the protection of journalists in the course of their work.

Cédric Alviani RSF Asia-Pacific Bureau Director In Jakarta, two photojournalists from online media Makna Talks, known as Edo and Dory, were targeted with tear gas and beaten when reporting on the spot. Juan Robin and Achmad Wahib, reporters from Narasi TV, were pushed to the ground and their cameras were damaged by police officers. Anggita Raissa and Riyan Setiawan, from online media Deduktif, told RSF they also experienced similar encounters with the police. Angga Permana from online media konteks.co.id suffered a beating by security forces that resulted in a head injury.

In the city of Bandung, Alza Ahdira, a journalist from Pikiran-Rakyat.com, was reportedly beaten on her head and arms by five police officers after filming the police dispersing the protesters. Three other journalists from two media, IDN Times and Tempo, remain anonymous for safety reasons. One of them was beaten by police and later brought to a police station for interrogation. He was later released with numerous wounds.

Indonesia is ranked 111th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index.