Indonesian Official Accused of Attempted Bribery and Harassment at Pacific Summit

Indonesian Official Accused of Attempted Bribery and Harassment at Pacific Summit

Indonesian official, Ardi Nuswantoro, has been accused of attempted bribery and harassment by a RNZ Pacific journalist during the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders’ summit in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), along with the Media Association Vanuatu (MAV) and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia, has condemned the incident and called for a thorough investigation.

According to the journalist, Kelvin Anthony, Nuswantoro attempted to bribe him outside Port Vila’s Holiday Inn Resort after Anthony conducted an interview with Indonesia’s Australian ambassador, Dr Siswo Pramono. Anthony had informed Nuswantoro about the outlet’s commitment to producing balanced and fair coverage. Following the interview, Anthony was accompanied by three Indonesian officials who repeatedly asked about his return to his accommodation. Nuswantoro then offered him an undisclosed amount of money as a gift, which Anthony declined. In the following days, Anthony felt harassed and intimidated as Nuswantoro continued to message, call, and follow him at the conference’s closing reception.

RNZ decided not to air the interview with Dr Pramono due to the incident. The allegations were sent to the Indonesian government by RNZ, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promised to investigate the matter, emphasizing that bribery is not their policy. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins reaffirmed his country’s commitment to press freedom and condemned the bribery of journalists.

This incident highlights the increasing threats, restrictions, and violence faced by journalists and civil society in West Papua. The Indonesian government has exerted control over media narratives, leading to the censorship of independent outlets and the limited access for local and international journalists in West Papua.

The Media Association of Vanuatu (MAV) expressed its concern about the incident and urged its members to adhere to the Code of Ethics. The association’s president called on international journalists to reach out for assistance when in the country, as actions contrary to MAV’s values are deemed unacceptable. The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia also urged the Indonesian government to transparently investigate the incident and ensure the safety of journalists working in Papua and elsewhere.

The IFJ, MAV, AJI, and Pacific Media Watch all condemned the incident and called for a thorough investigation. They view this alleged bribery and harassment as part of a disturbing pattern that puts pressure on Pacific journalists covering West Papuan affairs.

Indonesian authorities have denied the allegations of attempted bribery and harassment.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of press freedom and the need for journalists to work independently and without fear of intimidation or coercion. It is crucial that investigations into such incidents are conducted transparently and that steps are taken to protect the rights and safety of journalists, both in Indonesia and internationally.