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Indonesia pushing bill to restrict investigative journalism and increase censorship ‘by any means necessary’: critics
- Activists argue the bill is being fast-tracked to protect the interests of the political elite
- Proposed legislation would also expand regulatory powers over social media and live-streaming platforms
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Indonesian civil society groups are sounding the alarm over the draft of a new Broadcasting Bill that they fear will restrict investigative journalism and other forms of free speech, leading to a regression of democratic reforms.
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They are particularly worried that the legislation seems to have been fast tracked by the administration of outgoing President Joko Widodo for passage before his successor, Prabowo Subianto, takes office in October.
Fatkul Khoir, a lawyer and coordinator at human rights NGO Kontras Surabaya, argued the government was aiming to ensure passage of the Broadcasting Bill before Widodo’s term ends “by any means necessary”.
“For the incumbent, who has been accused of meddling with the recent election, restrictions on investigative journalism would be convenient,” Faktul told This Week in Asia, referring to allegations made against Widodo regarding February’s presidential elections.
He also said that for president-elect Prabowo, who had long been haunted by alleged past human rights abuses, “not having things raked up by nosy journalists” would be preferable.
One of the most contentious clauses seen in a leaked draft of the Broadcast Bill, which is currently tabled for debate in the House of Representatives (DPR), says that electronic and television broadcasts of “exclusive investigative journalism” would be restricted.
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