Jakarta – A number of press organisations have strongly criticised the actions of the Presidential Secretariat's Press, Media and Information Bureau (BPMI) for revoking the Palace press credentials of CNN Indonesia journalist Diana Valencia after she asked President Prabowo Subianto about his Free Nutritious Food (MBG) upon is arrival at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta.
The Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) expressed concern over the withdrawal of the Palace press identity card from Valencia, which was done after she was on duty carrying out her journalistic function.
In the IJTI's view, the questions raised by Valencia regarding the MBG program were still within the corridor of journalistic ethics and relevant to the public interest. Moreover, Prabowo provided informative answers regarding MBG, which should be important material for the wider public to know.
"The IJTI emphasises the importance of press freedom as guaranteed under Law Number 40/1999 on the Press. The act of revoking a reporter's press identity card can be seen as a form of obstruction of journalistic work, which has the potential to limit public access to information", said IJTI Chairperson Herik Kurniawan in an official statement on Sunday September 28.
IJTI quoted Article 18 paragraph (1) of the Press Law: "Any person who intentionally carries out an unlawful act which hinders or obstructs the implementation of the provisions of Article 4 paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) shall be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment of 2 (two) years or a maximum fine of 500,000,000.00 rupiah".
"The IJTI invites all parties to uphold the values of democracy, press freedom and the public's right to information", said Kurniawan.
Similar criticisms were made by the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) central office. PWI General Chairperson Akhmad Munir asserted that this action has the potential to hinder press freedom and is contrary to the mandate of the Constitution (UUD 1945) and the Press Law.
"Article 28F of the UUD 1945 guarantees the right of every person to communicate and obtain information. Meanwhile, Article 4 of the Press Law emphasises that press freedom is guaranteed as a fundamental right of citizens, without censorship or prohibitions on broadcasting", said Munir in an official statement on Sunday.
According to Munir, the revocation of CNN Indonesia journalists' press credentials on the grounds that her questions were outside the President's agenda cannot be justified because it hinders journalistic duties and limits the public's right to obtain information.
Munir also urged the BPMI to immediately provide an official clarification and open space for dialogue with the press. "Protecting press freedom means safeguarding democracy. Therefore, any form of restriction that contradicts the constitution and the Press Law must be stopped", he said.
In addition to this, the Chief Editor Forum (Pemred) also said it regrets the incident, as well as encouraging the Palace, in this case the BPMI, to explain the reasons for the withdrawal of the Palace Press ID on behalf of Valencia.
"The state must ensure that there is no obstruction of journalistic work in the jurisdiction of Indonesia, including in the Presidential Palace environment", said Pemred Forum Chairperson Retno Pinasti.
The Pemred Forum said it appreciates and supports the steps of the CNN Indonesia editorial staff who questioned the BPMI about the withdrawal of the press ID.
"The Pemred Forum always supports efforts to improve journalistic quality including the sustainability of the media by involving all policy makers while ensuring the independence of the press is maintained", said Pinasti.
Press Bureau's actions condemned
The Jakarta Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and the Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) have also condemned the actions of the BPMI.
AJI Jakarta Chairperson Irsyan Hasyim said that they and the LBH Pers emphasise that the practice of obstructing journalistic work will only worsen the climate of press freedom in Indonesia.
"[We] urge the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat to apologise and return the Palace Press ID belonging to the CNN Indonesia Journalist", said Hasyim.
Meanwhile LBH Pres Director Mustafa Layong reminded all parties, including the BPMI, that journalists' work is protected by the Press Law.
"All forms of violence or obstruction against journalists are a violation of the law and democracy", said Layong said.
The Legal Journalists Association (Iwakum) also stated that the BPMI's actions constitute a serious threat to press freedom. According to them, the Press Bureau violated Article 4 of the Press Law.
"This isn't just an incident, it's a real threat to press freedom. We condemn the Palace Press Bureau's arrogant actions toward our fellow journalist", said Iwakum Chairperson Irfan Kamil in an official statement on Sunday.
Similarly, Iwakum Secretary General Ponco Sulaksono emphasised that the work of journalists is protected by the Press Law. Therefore, journalists' work should be free from threats and intimidation from any party, including Palace circles.
"A journalist's job is not to please those in power, but to safeguard the public interest and maintain democracy", said Sulaksono.
CNN Indonesia Editor-in-Chief Titin Rosmasari has confirmed that a BPMI staff member from the Presidential Secretariat came and personally took Valencia's Palace Press ID card from the CNN Indonesia TV offices on Jalan Kapten P. Tendean in Jakarta last night.
"It's true that Diana Valencia's Palace Press ID was revoked. On September 27, 2025. At exactly 7.15 pm, a BPMI official took Diana's Press ID from the CNN Indonesia office", said Rosmasari in a written statement on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi was reluctant to answer questions about the revocation of the Palace Press ID card belonging to Valencia.
"We're focused on resolving the MBG issue first, so it doesn't happen again", Hadi said when asked a question following a press conference on the MBG program at the Ministry of Health in Jakarta today. (fra/fra)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Ramai-ramai Kritik Istana Cabut ID Liputan Wartawan CNN Indonesia".]
