Indonesia Restores Press Pass for CNN Journalist After Controversy

The Indonesian government reinstated the press accreditation of CNN Indonesia journalist Diana Valencia on September 29, 2023, following widespread criticism regarding the initial revocation of her credentials. This incident raised significant concerns about press freedom in the country. The presidential palace issued an apology and clarified the circumstances surrounding the decision.

Valencia’s accreditation was revoked after she posed a question to President Prabowo Subianto about a government initiative providing free meals to children and expectant mothers. The inquiry occurred during a doorstop interview at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, shortly after the president’s return from a diplomatic tour that included stops at the United Nations General Assembly and visits to Japan, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Initially, the revocation of Valencia’s press card became public knowledge when she shared a farewell message in a WhatsApp group intended for palace reporters. Officials from the Bureau of Press, Media and Information (BPMI) cited her question as “out of context,” leading to the decision to revoke her credentials.

In the interview, as Prabowo concluded his remarks about the trip, Valencia asked, “On the free nutritious meals programme, is there any special instruction, Mr President?” In response, Prabowo indicated he would ask Dadan Hindayana, head of the National Nutrition Agency, to address the matter directly.

This free-meals programme has faced scrutiny since its launch in January, with reports of food poisoning outbreaks affecting over a thousand students in recent weeks. Health organizations have called for a suspension of the initiative to conduct a thorough review.

The BPMI’s actions prompted outrage among press organizations and advocates for journalistic integrity. On the evening of September 29, a BPMI officer collected Valencia’s press card from CNN Indonesia’s newsroom in South Jakarta at approximately 19:15 hours. Titin Rosmasari, the editor-in-chief of CNN Indonesia, expressed her shock at the revocation and questioned its justification. The network subsequently sought clarification from the BPMI and the State Secretary.

In a statement, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi assured the media that he would work towards finding a satisfactory resolution. He emphasized that President Prabowo had not intervened directly in the matter, as it was within his purview to manage it.

Press Credential Restored After Outcry

Following a meeting between CNN Indonesia and the BPMI, Valencia’s press credentials were reinstated. Yusuf Permana, the Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media Affairs at BPMI, confirmed that her identification was returned during a ceremony witnessed by Titin. He reiterated the commitment to prevent similar incidents in the future, stating, “Everything has been resolved today. This ID means Diana is guaranteed to be able to carry out her duties as before.”

The revocation of Valencia’s press pass drew sharp criticism from various media organizations. Komaruddin Hidayat, chairman of the Indonesian Press Council, stated that his office had received a formal complaint regarding the incident. He urged the BPMI to provide a clear explanation for their decision, reinforcing the necessity for the press’s role to be respected in accordance with the 1999 Press Law.

Chairman of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association, Herik Kurniawan, expressed regret over the incident, affirming that Valencia’s question aligned with journalistic ethics and the public’s right to information. Additionally, the Jakarta chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists, along with the Legal Aid Institute for the Press, condemned the BPMI’s actions, describing them as detrimental to the public’s access to information.

The reinstatement of Diana Valencia’s press pass serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Indonesia and highlights the critical need for safeguarding press freedom in an evolving media landscape.