Police officers stand guard during a protest against a revision of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law in front of the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta on March 20, 2025. More than 5,000 joint police and military personnel were deployed to safeguard the legislative complex ahead of the protest, launched by students and pro-democracy activists against the controversial TNI Law revision. - Photo: Antara
JAKARTA: A new National Police regulation outlining procedures surrounding permits for foreign journalists has sparked criticism from press and law organisations, which say the policies could harm press freedom and restrict foreign media coverage of the country.
Police Regulation No. 3/2025 on the functional supervision of foreigners was signed on March 10 by National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
The regulation aims to prevent, among other concerns, “security threats, espionage, sabotage and propaganda activities against the government”.
Critics and the public raised eyebrows over Articles 5 and 9 of the regulation, which specify certain “requirements” for foreigners to conduct journalistic work or research in Indonesia, including submitting a written request containing personal data and to possess an official journalism permit.
They said the provisions could prevent foreign journalists from doing their job in the country. In response to the criticism, Listyo said on Thursday (April 3) that it was not mandatory for foreign journalists to obtain permits from the police to do reporting in Indonesia.
“Without clearance from the police, foreign journalists can still carry out their duties as long as they don’t violate applicable laws,” the National Police chief said, as quoted by kompas.com.
“The regulation doesn’t include the word ‘mandatory’, but we can issue such a letter upon request from their guarantor,” he continued.
Listyo continued that foreign journalists could request protection from the police when reporting in conflict-prone areas, such Papua.
Overlapping laws Despite the reassurance from Listyo, media observers said the new regulation added another layer of requirements that foreign journalists had to comply with when reporting from Indonesia.
Foreign media coverage in Indonesia is covered by existing laws, such as the 1999 Press Law and the 2002 Broadcasting Law.
A 2005 Government Regulation (PP) and a 2009 Communications and Information (now Communication and Digital) Ministerial Regulation also stipulate that foreign journalists must obtain permission to do reporting from the communications minister.
The ministry also recently established a media ecosystem directorate general, which has a specialised body responsible for foreign media licensing.
Foreign journalists wishing to enter Indonesia must also arrange a limited 60-day C5 visit visa with a sponsor from the Immigration Office.
The Press Council, which is authorised to oversee foreign journalists by the Press Law, regretted the issuance of the police regulation, calling it “an attempt to control and monitor journalistic work” that contradicted higher prevailing regulations.
“This regulation will create overlapping authorities, prolong bureaucracies and risk exploitation by law enforcement. The Press Council views it as a violation of the principles of a democratic and independent press, which serve as the foundation for upholding press freedom,” council chairwoman Ninik Rahayu said.
Press Council chairwoman Ninik Rahayu delivers a statement condemning the alleged intimidation of journalists of 'Tempo' news magazine in Jakarta on March 21, 2025. - Photo: Antara
The Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) called the regulation “excessive intervention and an overreach of police authority”.
“Foreign journalists operating without the clearance letter, which is defined as a permit, could feasibly be deemed illegal, justifying restrictive actions against them,” said LBH Pers executive director Mustafa Layong.
Muhammad Isnur of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation called the police’s internal regulation “a betrayal of the 1945 Constitution and democracy” and said it “threatens efforts to gain the trust of the international community in Indonesia”.
He urged the National Police to annul the regulation and refrain from issuing similar policies that violated principles of good governance and respect for human rights.
Limiting press freedom Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) secretary-general Bayu Wardhana called the regulation a restriction of press freedom, which should be guaranteed under the Constitution.
“Foreign journalists can conduct reporting with a journalist visa, which is already difficult to obtain. The additional required clearance from the police further restricts press freedom,” he said.
The police internal regulation has added to concerns surrounding foreign journalists covering Indonesia, who often face obstruction and threats of arrest when covering environmental and human rights issues, among others.
In 2020, United States journalist Philip Jacobson of environmental outlet Mongabay was detained by immigration authorities in Central Kalimantan for an alleged visa violation.
AJI called the arrest excessive and an administrative pretext to halt journalistic activities.
A report by local Papuan media outlet Jubi published in 2023 found that the process of obtaining journalist visas to cover conflicts in the region had become significantly more difficult.
The AJI also noted that at least 56 permit applications to report in Papua were rejected between 2012 and 2015.
The police regulation also added to concerns about the general state of press freedom in Indonesia as the House of Representatives deliberates a revision to the Broadcasting Law.
Observers have slammed some drafts of the revision for containing problematic provisions, such as a ban on media broadcasters publishing investigative reports.
Activists have called on the legislature to drop such provisions from the law revision.
The House is also considering a proposal to revise the 2002 Police Law.
A draft of the bill that circulated last year, while lawmakers were deliberating the revision, contained provisions that would give the National Police greater authority in intelligence, including in surveilling foreigners visiting the country. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
