Bangkok, August 26, 2025—Security personnel, police officers, and community members attacked a group of eight journalists covering an environmental inspection at the PT Genesis Regeneration Smelting facility in Serang, a city west of the capital Jakarta, on August 21. At least one journalist sustained injuries that required medical attention.
“Indonesian authorities must identify, arrest, and prosecute everyone involved in this egregious attack on reporters simply doing their work,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “This kind of crude thuggery against journalists remains disturbingly common in Indonesia, and impunity in these crimes must end immediately.”
Muhammad Rifky Juliana, a reporter for independent website Tribun Banten, said in a video report that he was chased and beaten by individuals wearing red uniforms, whom he suspected were company employees. He said he was taken to a hospital after the incident, where he was treated for a shoulder injury and ringing in his ears. An environment ministry employee was also beaten.
Serang police arrested two factory security guards on August 21. The following day, they questioned two Mobile Brigade police officers suspected of involvement.
The Alliance of Independent Journalists Indonesia and the Indonesian Television Journalists Association condemned the attack.
PT Genesis Regeneration Smelting, the Jawilan District Police, and the Indonesian National Police did not immediately reply to CPJ’s emails requesting comment.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.