Press Freedom at Risk? Indonesia’s New Police Rule for Foreign Journalists Sparks Concern

JAKARTA, investortrust.id – A new police regulation in Indonesia governing foreign nationals has drawn criticism from the country’s Press Council, which argues that it could undermine press freedom by introducing unnecessary oversight over foreign journalists.

While the Indonesian National Police insists the measure is voluntary and designed to enhance safety, media stakeholders warn it may become a tool for bureaucratic control and intimidation.

Police Regulation Number 3 of 2025, or Perpol 3/2025, includes a provision allowing sponsors of foreign nationals to request a Surat Keterangan Kepolisian (SKK), or police certificate, for foreign journalists operating in the country.

The regulation was issued in response to changes in Indonesia’s Immigration Law Number 63 of 2024, and was introduced by the National Police as a preventive and protective step to assist foreigners working in sensitive areas.

“This regulation aims to provide services and protection to foreign nationals, including journalists, particularly those working in conflict-prone regions,” said Inspector General Sandi Nugroho, Head of the Public Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police, on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Sandi emphasized that the SKK is not mandatory and that the police would only issue it upon the request of a guarantor, typically a media organization or sponsor.

“Without the SKK, foreign journalists can still perform their duties in Indonesia, as long as they comply with the prevailing laws,” he said, rejecting media reports suggesting otherwise. “There is no provision in the regulation that states SKK is compulsory.”

Inconsistent with Indonesian Press Law

However, the Press Council has strongly opposed the regulation’s introduction, claiming it was drafted without consulting key stakeholders in the media sector, such as journalist associations, media companies, or regulatory bodies like the Press Council and the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission.

“Since one of the provisions regulates journalistic work, we believe these organizations could have contributed meaningfully to ensure the regulation reflects actual press practices and existing legal protections,” said Press Council Chair Ninik Rahayu in a statement issued Thursday, April 4, 2025.

The council warned that Perpol 3/2025 contradicts higher legal instruments, such as the Press Law Number 40 of 1999 and the Broadcasting Law Number 32 of 2002, both of which already govern journalistic activities, including the right to seek, obtain, store, process, and publish information.

“Supervisory authority over journalistic work—including that of foreign journalists—belongs to the Press Council, not the police,” Ninik said.

Potential Abuse

She further argued that foreign media permits are already regulated under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, or Kemenkomdigi, through Government Regulation Number 49 of 2005 and the ministerial regulation on foreign broadcasting entities.

The Press Council also criticized the legal grounding of the regulation, noting that it leans heavily on the 2002 Police Law while ignoring the updated provisions in the Immigration Law that now govern foreign citizens’ entry and stay in Indonesia.

“Such oversight risks creating overlapping institutional authority, complicating bureaucracy, and potentially enabling abuse by rogue elements in law enforcement,” Ninik stated.

Of particular concern is the interpretation that Perpol 3/2025 enables surveillance and control over journalists, a move that the council argues could erode press freedom under the guise of protection. “Although presented as a protective measure, this regulation can be construed as a mechanism of control over the journalistic profession,” Ninik warned.

She called for a thorough review of the regulation, emphasizing the need to uphold the values of a free, independent, and professional press.