Indonesia: Verdict to be delivered in government lawsuit against Tempo

In a landmark press freedom case, independent media outlet Tempo awaits a court verdict in a lawsuit brought by Indonesia's Agriculture Minister over an allegedly damaging report on the country's rice quality policy. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Indonesian affiliates, Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) Indonesia, and the Media and Creative Industry Workers Union for Democracy (SINDIKASI), condemn the Minister's attempt to stifle investigative and critical reporting and call for the case to be immediately withdrawn.

Tempo's May 16 Article reads in English: "Bulog's Risk After Setting A Record For Rice Reserves Throughout History". Credit: Screenshot / Tempo

Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman filed the civil lawsuiton July 1, accusingTempo, which is one of Indonesia's most prominent investigative media outlets, of damaging the Ministry's reputation and public trust over a May 16 article and accompanying social media poster titled "Polishing Rotten Rice".

The article alleged the National Logistics Agency (Bulog), an Indonesian government-owned firm responsible for managing the country's food reserves, had purchasedrice from farmers regardless of quality to boost its national reserves, resulting in damaged rice stocks in Bulog's warehouses.

The suit demanded200 billion Rupiah (approx. USD 12.5 million) in non-material damages, 19,173,000 Rupiah (approx. USD 1,150) in material damages, a public apology in ten national media outlets for 30 consecutive days, and a daily fine of 1,000,000 Rupiah (approx. USD 60) for non-compliance. Hearings at the South Jakarta District Court began on September 15, with a verdict set to be delivered on November 3.

Before filing the lawsuit, the Ministry lodged a formal complaint with the Press Council on May 19, arguing that the phrase "rotten rice" misrepresented the article's content. In response, the Press Council issued a Statement of Assessment and Recommendation (PPR) on June 17, directingTempo to revise the poster and issue an apology.

While Tempo complied with all recommendations the following day and the Council had closed the case, Sulaiman proceededwith the lawsuit on July 1, allegingTempo had not fully carried out its directives. While Tempo offered the Minister a right of reply as a peace proposal in mediation sessions that ran from August 7 to September 4, the Minister rejected the offer.

After the case's first hearing on September 15, Mustafa Layong, the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Institute for the Press, Tempo's legal representative, said, "this lawsuit is only intended to hinder journalistic work and create a climate of fear for their work in the field."

On October 20, AJI urgedthe Minister to withdraw the lawsuit, stressing that disputes over reporting must be handled through the Press Council, not the courts. "Tempo has fulfilled all recommendations, so the legal process should have ended there," said AJI President Nany Afrida. The Indonesian Association of Online Media (AMSI) also condemnedthe Minister's lawsuit, arguing it sets a precedent for criminalising the press.

AJI said: "The Minister's approach is aimed at bankrupting and muzzling the media. This is a hallmark of state governance that is hostile to criticism and authoritarianism. This lawsuit must be halted, and the Prabowo administration should learn to accept criticism without killing those who deliver it."

SINDIKASI said: "The lawsuit filed by Minister Amran Sulaiman against Tempo is excessive, contradicts press freedom, and runs counter to President Prabowo's vision of 'strengthening democracy'. As a public official, Minister Amran Sulaiman should set an example for the public by adhering to the Press Law, particularly in resolving news disputes through the Press Council."

The IFJ said: "Investigative and critical reporting in the public interest is a cornerstone of democracy, and the intimidatory legal case against Tempo only serves to suppress press freedom and silence independent journalism."