Freedom of the Press - Indonesia (2002)
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Publication Date | 22 April 2002 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Indonesia (2002), 22 April 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4734505e2.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Status: Partly Free
Legal Environment: 19
Political Influences: 25
Economic Pressures: 9
Total Score: 53
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 67
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Javanese (45 percent), Sundanese (14 percent), Madurese (8 percent), Malay (8 percent), other (25 percent)
Capital: Jakarta
Most private commercial television stations are still owned or have management ties to former President Suharto's family. Private radio stations must broadcast government-prepared news packages each day but can also air their own news programs. The private press, freed from Suharto-era controls, reports aggressively on government policies, corruption, and other formerly taboo subjects. Licensing of the press ended several years ago. A new press law prohibits press bans and censorship. However, self-censorship was widespread, partly as a result of threats from extremist religious groups. Police and security forces frequently assault journalists; at least 95 cases of pressure and violence against journalists were reported by the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI). Few suspects were brought to trial. The intimidation of the press was particularly prevalent outside the main island of Java. One reporter was killed in Poso Kota. The AJI office in West Papua was attacked. In Aceh, the region's leading newspaper was shut down after threats from separatists. At mid-year, there was concern over plans to revive the information ministry.
