Press Groups Condemn Revocation of CNN Journalist’s Palace Accreditation after MBG Question
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia’s press community has condemned the Presidential Secretariat’s decision to revoke the accreditation of CNN Indonesia journalist Diana Valencia after she questioned President Prabowo Subianto about the government’s Free Nutritious Meals, or MBG, program on Saturday, Sept 27, 2025.
The incident occurred when Diana raised a query about recent food poisoning cases linked to MBG during a doorstop interview at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, shortly after Prabowo returned from a four-country tour. While the President responded by pledging to summon the head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to evaluate the program, the Presidential Press Bureau later withdrew her palace access.
The Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) said it was deeply concerned by the move, stressing that the reporter was carrying out her professional duty. IJTI noted that Prabowo’s informative reply was clearly of public importance and should have been welcomed.
IJTI urged the Presidential Press Bureau to issue a formal explanation, warning that such actions could be considered obstruction of journalism.
“This amounts to limiting the public’s right to information, which is protected under the Press Law,” IJTI declared. It cited Article 18 of Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press, which prescribes prison sentences of up to two years or fines of up to Rp 500 million for anyone found guilty of hindering journalistic work.
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Jakarta and the Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) echoed the criticism, revealing that palace staff retrieved Diana’s accreditation card directly from CNN’s office at 8 p.m. the same evening. The official reason was that her question was “out of context” with the President’s agenda.
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AJI and LBH Pers dismissed this explanation as unjustifiable, noting that journalists are mandated under Article 6 of the Press Law to conduct oversight, criticism, and suggestions on matters of public interest.
“This is not just an attack on one journalist, but an attack on the public’s right to information,” the groups said in a joint statement. They emphasized that the Press Law prohibits censorship, bans restrictions on broadcasting, and guarantees journalists’ rights to seek, obtain, and disseminate ideas and information.
They further highlighted that Indonesia’s Public Information Disclosure Law obligates officials to share information with the public when taxpayer funds are involved. “Diana’s question actually allowed the President to clarify a sensitive issue and present his own narrative,” they argued, referring to Prabowo’s pledge to hold the BGN accountable.
AJI and LBH Pers demanded that the Presidential Press Bureau apologize and reinstate the journalist’s accreditation. They also called on Prabowo to evaluate the officials responsible. “Journalists’ work is protected under Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press. Any obstruction is a violation of both law and democracy,” said AJI Jakarta Chair Irsyan Hasyim and LBH Pers Director Mustafa Layong.
The controversy has now widened, drawing condemnation from the Indonesian Association of Legal Journalists (Iwakum). Chairman Irfan Kamil labeled the revocation a “serious threat to press freedom,” accusing the palace of arrogance and ignoring the constitutional rights of reporters. “This is not just an incident. This is a direct threat to democracy,” he warned.
Iwakum Secretary General Ponco Sulaksono stressed that all journalists are legally protected from intimidation. “This includes the Palace Press Bureau. Journalists must be free to do their work,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi declined to comment on the controversy when asked on Sunday, Sept 28, after a meeting on the MBG program at the Ministry of Health. “Let’s focus on MBG. The priority is to prevent more food poisoning cases,” he said.
The case has become a flashpoint for press freedom in Indonesia, with professional associations warning it sets a dangerous precedent. They argued that restricting access for asking difficult but legitimate questions erodes public trust and undermines the country’s democratic standing.