The press community requests the revocation of article 2d of the police chief’s statement on the FPI, this is the reason Page all

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The press community, which consists of several institutions, has asked the Indonesian National Police Chief, General Pol Idham Azis, to remove Article 2d from the Chief of Police’s statement number: Mak / 1 / I / 2021.

The press community consisting of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the Indonesian Association of Journalists (PWI), the Indonesian Association of Television Journalists (IJTI), the Indonesian Photo Journalists (PFI), the Leaders Forum Publishers and the Indonesian Cyber ​​Media Association (AMSI) rated this article. threatens the main task of journalists and the media.

“The edict violates the duties of journalists and the media, who by their profession fulfill the function of seeking and disseminating information to the public, including about the FPI. The right of journalists to seek information is regulated in Law Number 40 1999 Press “, said several representatives of the Press Community in Jakarta as reported Between, Friday (1/1/2021).

Also read: Police Chief’s Announcement on FPI: From Content Access Ban to Potential Threats to Press Freedom

As for the Chief of Information of the Police, he mentions four issues related to the Compliance with the Prohibition of Activities, Use of Symbols and Attributes and Termination of Activities of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).

One of the articles, article 2d, is considered by the press community as a threat to the main task of journalists and the media of seeking and disseminating information to the public.

In the content of this article, the Chief of the National Police asked the public not to access, upload and disseminate content related to the FPI through websites or social networks.

This is considered contrary to article 4, paragraph 3, of the Press Law, which states “In order to guarantee freedom of the press, the national press has the right to seek, obtain and disseminate ideas and information.”

Also read: Police Information: Community Cannot Access, Upload or Distribute FPI Content

According to the press community, with Article 2d, the police can investigate anyone who disseminates information related to the FPI since the announcement was signed on January 1, 2021.

The press community also assessed that this article could be classified as a “broadcast ban” which is contrary to article 4, paragraph 2, of the Press Law.

Not only that, the article contradicts the rights of citizens of article 28F of the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia of 1945 which says: “Everyone has the right to communicate and obtain information to develop their personal and social environment, as well as the right to seek, obtain, possess, preserve, process and transmit information using all types of available channels “.

Also read: Police information, user attributes and FPI symbols

For another reason, the National Police evaluated that this decree was issued to provide protection and guarantee the safety and security of the community since the Joint Decree (SKB) was issued on the prohibition of activities, the use of symbols and attributes and the cessation of FPI activities.

The SKB was signed by the Minister of the Interior (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian, the Minister of Law and Human Rights (Menkumham) Yasonna Laoly, the Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Johnny G Plate.

The government previously decided to stop activities and dissolve the mass organization FPI.

This decision was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, at a press conference at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs on Wednesday.

“The government prohibits the activities of FPI and will stop any activity carried out by FPI,” said Mahfud MD.

He said that the government’s decision is in accordance with the rules and laws that apply.