TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Press Council stated that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are now encountering efforts that silence them after the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) passed the new criminal code. This is because the revised law can ensnare journalists and press companies as perpetrators of criminal acts when carrying out journalistic duties.

“Not only does threaten and harm press freedom, but it is also dangerous for democracy, freedom of religion and belief, and the eradication of corruption,” said Arif Zulkifli, head of the Press Council's law and legislation commission, in a written statement on Thursday, December 8, 2022.

On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, the DPR officially passed the criminal code replacing the law inherited from the Dutch colonial government. The new law will take effect in the next three years after the dissemination period.

The Press Council listed articles that have the potential to criminalize journalists and threaten the freedom of the press, opinion, and expression as follows:

1. Article 188 on the crime of spreading or developing the teachings of communism or Marxism-Leninism,
2. Article 218, 219, and 220 on the crime of attacking the honor or dignity of the President and Vice President,
3. Article 240 and Article 241 on the crime of insulting the government,
4. Article 263 on the criminal act of broadcasting or spreading false news or information,
5. Article 264 on criminal acts against anyone who broadcasts news that is uncertain, exaggerated, or incomplete,
6. Article 280 on interference and misdirection of the judicial process,
7. Article 300, 301, and 302 on criminal acts against religion and belief,
8. Article 436 on the crime of light insult,
9. Article 433 on the crime of defamation,
10. Article 439 on the cri
11. minal act of profaning the dead,
12. Article 594 and Article 595 on the crime of publishing and printing.

The Press Council regrets that the new criminal code was ratified by ignoring the lack of participation and input from the public, including the press community, given that there are still crucial articles that pose a threat to the press and journalists.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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