Threats, terror, violence, criminalization, and even murder continue to threaten journalists. At a time when the black shadow of plague has not yet dissipated, a myriad of challenges have emerged.
By
EDITOR
·3 minutes read
KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO
Dozens of journalists in Malang, East Java, held a peaceful rally to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, Friday (3/5/2019).
Threats, terror, violence, criminalization, and even murder continue to threaten journalists. At a time when the black shadow of plague has not yet dissipated, a myriad of challenges have emerged.
These are some of the challenges journalists are facing in this pandemic year. Journalists, who are responsible for disseminating information in all situations, are among the groups at risk of infection. The pandemic and its multidimensional impacts have caused many journalists to be overwhelmed by financial problems. The media companies at which they work has stumbled, leading to cuts in their allowances and salaries, while some companies have had to close up shop. This is the internal condition of the industry that colored the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day on Sunday (3/5/2020).
In addition to calling for the immediate release of journalists who are in prisons around the world, the elimination of violence against journalists continues to be reiterated.
The Committee to Protect Journalists recorded that 1,369 journalists were killed, 1,773 imprisoned, and 67 others went missing in 1992-2020. The grim fate of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi Arabian journalist who was killed in 2018 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, made us aware of the great threats against journalists that exist. Amnesty International records that 37 journalists are still in detention in the world.
People attend a symbolic funeral prayer for Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the courtyard of Fatih mosque in Istanbul, Turkey November 16, 2018.
The challenges journalists face in Indonesia are no less severe. In Indonesia, 10 journalists have been killed, 8 imprisoned, and 1 missing. The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) recorded 53 cases of violence against journalists last year, most of which were perpetrated by security forces. Meanwhile, the Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) recorded 75 cases of violence against journalists. AJI has urged law enforcement officers to be rigorous in processing every report of violence against journalists and the media.
With regard to the threats against journalists during the epidemic, the LBH Pers-AJI Jakarta complaints facility received 61 complaints from journalists in Jakarta and surrounding areas from 3 April to 2 May 2020. Of that number, 26 journalists lodged complaints on termination of employment. Other complaints were on layoffs without pay, salary cuts, and deferred salaries or allowances.
The Indonesian Press Council has also called on the state to provide protection for journalists. The economic crisis caused by the pandemic, as well as the threat of violence against the press, are serious challenges to press freedom in Indonesia.
The duty of journalists must be recognized as sacred.
These days are not easy for all journalists in the world, including Indonesia. On the one hand, journalists are increasingly needed to provide clear information in an era of information overload that often causes anxiety. On the other hand, the challenges are multiplying.
Pope John Paul II in his 2000 address said that the duty of journalists must be recognized as sacred. Today, when they are called to the field amid the threats that obstruct the fulfillment of that duty, it is unthinkable for journalists to turn tail and go home. Instead, they reaffirm their determination to continue carrying out their sacred duty of disseminating information.
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