The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has condemned unequivocally a series of escalating threats and harassment targeted at Indonesia’s Tempo media group, one of its signatories, calling on authorities to protect the safety and rights of journalists in the Southeast Asian country.
Tempo, a prominent independent and nonpartisan news organisation known for its accountability journalism, has come under intense pressure in recent weeks, a statement released by the global fact-checking body on Friday, May 23, 2025 noted.
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Recall that in March 2025, the outlet’s Jakarta office was targeted with disturbing acts of intimidation – first a severed pig’s head was delivered on March 19, 2025 followed by decapitated rats three days later.
Also in April this year, Tempo suffered major cyber attacks that disrupted the distribution of its reports.
The IFCN’s statement noted that the threats coincided with a wave of political rhetoric and public demonstrations. Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto, had alleged that foreign-funded media were attempting to “divide” the country, which was followed by protests outside Indonesia’s Press Council, where demonstrators demanded action against Tempo.
“Such harassment can have chilling effects on independent journalism, including the work of fact-checkers,” part of the statement read, adding that Tempo’s work is vital to democracy.
Tempo’s fact-checking unit has been a signatory to the IFCN’s Code of Principles since 2018, having passed rigorous assessments on transparency, methodology, and independence. IFCN emphasized that all signatories voluntarily commit to uphold universal standards of nonpartisan journalism.
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“These orchestrated intimidation campaigns must end. Tempo deserves to continue publishing the explanatory journalism and reporting that holds power to account, without fear of reprisal,” it stated.
The IFCN, which operates under the Poynter Institute and supports fact-checking initiatives worldwide, publicly condemns these orchestrated intimidation campaigns against journalists in Indonesia and urged Indonesian authorities to act swiftly “to ensure the safety and basic rights of all media representatives, particularly those facing explicit threats.”
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