A legal journalists forum strongly condemned the violent acts against a journalist while covering a public demonstration at PT UG.
Chaos erupted during the protest at PT UG, located on Jalan Pertahanan Dusun I, Patumbak Kampung Village, on Monday, after the company was accused of emitting foul odors from its shell storage warehouse.
When residents blocked the factory gate, the situation suddenly turned chaotic after a group of men with thug-like appearances arrived and caused disruption.
“They are not from here, they are PT UG’s hired thugs!” shouted one protester at the location.
Amid the chaos, the thugs attacked anyone attempting to video record or take photographs. As a result, a print and online media journalist from Medan became a victim of brutal assault allegedly carried out by PT UG’s hired thugs.
The chairman of the forum stated that the violent acts constituted a serious violation.
“The actions carried out by these paid thug elements violate Press Law No. 40 of 2009 and can be subject to criminal imprisonment as stipulated in Article 18 paragraph (1) of Press Law Number 40 of 2009,” he said in his statement.
He stated that press freedom is a pillar of democracy and journalists have the right to cover public events without threats, intimidation, or violence.
Obstruction or acts of violence against journalists performing their journalistic duties is a serious violation, he explained, adding that journalists are protected by the Press Law in seeking, obtaining, possessing, storing, managing, and conveying information.
“Law enforcement and PT UG must not pit thugs against journalists, as there are indications of tolerance towards violence against journalists. It is known that during the incident, police personnel were present at the location and PT UG’s security unit was also there. So, what was the capacity of these thugs who assaulted the journalist until the helmet on his head broke, and who did they represent at the location?” he added.
He also requested the regional police to give serious attention to this incident and resolve it transparently.
“In this case, it is expected that the police will immediately arrest the thugs who committed violence against the journalist and also firmly process whoever the intellectual actor was that ordered the thugs’ presence that led to the violence. We ask the regional police chief to prioritize this case and immediately arrest the perpetrators, to ensure a sense of security for journalists and the public,” he concluded.
Following the incident, the journalist, accompanied by his legal representative, immediately reported the experienced events to the Patumbak Police Station on Tuesday at 00:43 WIB. The official report was registered with number LP/B/565/X/2025/SPKT/Polsek Patumbak, Polrestabes Medan, and was received by the officer on duty.
The victim has also undergone a medical examination to strengthen the legal process.
“This is not just assault, but an attack on press freedom. We demand the regional police chief, city police chief, and Patumbak police chief immediately arrest the perpetrators,” the legal representative emphasized.
