By Hendrik Yaputra

Copyright tempo

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian Chief Editors Forum Association (Forum Pemred) regrets the action by the Press, Media, and Information Bureau (BPMI) of the Presidential Secretariat in revoking the press identity card of CNN Indonesia journalist, Diana Valencia. The Chairperson of the Chief Editors Forum, Retno Pinasti, stated that the state must ensure that there are no obstructions to journalistic work in the Indonesian legal jurisdiction, including within the Presidential Palace.Retno mentioned that obstruction of journalistic activities in Indonesia could result in criminal sanctions. This provision is regulated in Article 18, paragraph (1) of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press.”This article imposes criminal sanctions on anyone who intentionally and unlawfully obstructs the implementation of the provisions of Article 4 of the Press Law,” said Retno in an official statement on Sunday, September 28, 2025.She stated that the protected articles mandate press freedom and the right of journalists to seek, obtain, and disseminate information. The Chief Editors Forum also supports CNN Indonesia’s Editorial Board in questioning the revocation of Diana Valencia’s Palace press card by the BPMI.Retno emphasized that the Chief Editors Forum always supports efforts to improve journalistic quality. This improvement involves ensuring press freedom is upheld while incorporating all policy stakeholders into media sustainability.The Chief Editors Forum also reminds all parties to adhere to Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. This guidance is for the sake of democracy quality and guaranteeing press freedom in Indonesia.The Chief Editors Forum hopes that what CNN Indonesia journalist Diana Valencia experienced will not happen again. This incident should serve as an important lesson for all parties in their commitment to safeguarding press freedom.Previously, a CNN Indonesia reporter had their identity card revoked while covering activities at the Palace for asking President Prabowo Subianto about issues regarding the free nutritious meal program (MBG). The question was posed shortly after Prabowo returned from a foreign visit on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta.At that time, they asked whether Prabowo had given specific instructions to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) regarding MBG. The Palace Press Bureau objected to the CNN reporter’s question to the President. For the Palace, the question was out of context. Then, the Palace revoked the reporter’s palace coverage card.Prabowo actually answered that he would summon the Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana. “I will monitor the development. After this, I will directly summon the Head of the National Nutrition Agency and some officials,” said the retired Indonesian military general.The Editor-in-Chief of CNN Indonesia, Titin Rosmasari, sent an official letter to the Press, Media, and Information Bureau (BPMI) of the Presidential Secretariat on Sunday, September 28, 2025. CNN Indonesia questioned the reason for the revocation of journalist Diana Valencia’s Palace press card by the BPMI.”We sent it this afternoon. Maybe our friends at BPMI have not read it yet,” said Titin when contacted on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Titin is still waiting for an official response from the Presidential Secretariat’s BPMI. She hopes that the BPMI and the Minister of State Secretariat, Prasetyo Hadi, will explain the reason for revoking Diana’s palace press identity card.Titin explained that BPMI officials directly took Diana’s palace press card at the CNN Indonesia TV office, Jalan Kapten P. Tendean, Jakarta, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, in the evening. However, the palace staff could not explain why the Palace revoked the CNN reporter’s coverage card.In response, the Minister of State Secretariat, Prasetyo Hadi, stated that he is currently focused on addressing issues with the MBG program and the BGN. The MBG program is currently facing poisoning cases in various areas.Prasetyo claimed that the government does not want the poisoning cases to recur. “We are prioritizing to resolve the National Nutrition Agency and MBG first,” said Prasetyo after holding a limited meeting regarding MBG at the Ministry of Health building on Sunday, September 28, 2025.Editor’s Choice: CNN Journalist’s Palace Credentials Revoked After Questioning Prabowo on Free Meal Program IssuesClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News