The work of Mr Aleks Waine (see photo, Suara Papua), a Papuan journalist who is also the coordinator of the Dogiyai Journalists Association (AWD), to cover the working visit of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) in Dogiyai district, Central Papua Province, on 20 July 2023 was blocked by members of the Dogiyai Regional Police.
Aleks Waine reported that he was prohibited to enter the yard of the official house of the Dogiyai regent, where the Coordinating Minister Muhadjir Effendy was attending meetings. He was asked by the police about his intentions, to which Mr Waine replied that he is a journalist wanting to cover the visit, he showed the police his press membership card. He was not allowed to enter. He was later asked if he had an invitation to cover the visit. Mr Waine replied that he has not because there were no invitations distributed to the press.
The information about the planned working visit of the Coordinating Minister has been known to the public, including journalists. However, to Aleks Waine’s knowledge, there was no committee or person appointment to coordinate with the press. Also, no invitations were distributed. Thus, blocking a journalist from doing his job, due to the lack of an invitation makes no sense. The police are interfering with press freedom.
“I ask the Dogiyai police chief to properly instruct their members so that they must understand the contents of the Press Law which regulates press freedom. They do not have the right to restrict journalists, let alone ban reporting activities,” said Mr Waine.
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Dogiyai, POLRES as reference (-4.009035391117398, 136.03171263562166)
administrative region: Indonesia, Central Papua Province, Dogiyai Regency, Dogiyai District
total number of victims: one
period of incident: 20.07.2023
perpetrator: police
perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: freedom of expression, indigenous peoples, press freedom
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1 | Aleks Maine | male | unknown | journalist | freedom of expression, press freedom |
