TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Other than university students, the Independent Journalist Alliance or AJI Yogyakarta joined the second students’ demonstration dubbed Gejayan Memanggil 2 held in Gejayan, Yogyakarta, Monday, September 30.

They will voice criticism upon various forms of violence and criminalization against journalists that have occurred recently.

Several media reporters fell victims when covering thousands of students and civilians during the rally before the Parliament building on Tuesday, September 24.

“Journalists reporting the protest were intimidated, attacked, and their equipment was seized,” said AJI Yogyakarta head Tommy Apriando, Monday, September 30.

AJI Jakarta recorded four journalists on duties were attacked during the rally. A journalist from Kompas.com Nibras Nada Nailufar was intimidated when recording security officers committing violence against a citizen in Jakarta Convention Center. The police prohibited her to take a photograph or video and forced her to delete the footage.

Meanwhile, an IDN Times journalist Vanny El Rahman was attacked and forced to remove photos or video displaying police’s violent acts against protesters around Slipi flyover, Jakarta.

AJI Yogyakarta also slammed the arrest of human rights activists Dandhy Dwi Laksono and Ananda Badudu. The arrest proved that the government failed to preserve democracy because they suppressed the freedom of opinion and expression.

Dandhy and Ananda were then released after hours of police questioning. However, the suspect status on Dandhy has yet to be lifted.

AJI Yogyakarta and other organizations joined in the National Anti-Terror Network protested the arrest of civilians. Besides, AJI rejected articles on Criminal Code draft bill that threaten the democracy and the freedom of the press, as well as the weakening of the anti-graft body or KPK.

SHINTA MAHARANI