Sun Mar 23 06:44:57 UTC 2025: ## Indonesian Magazine Targeted with Gruesome Threats Amidst Government Criticism
**JAKARTA, Indonesia (March 23, 2025)** — A leading Indonesian magazine, Tempo, known for its critical reporting on the government, has been the target of a disturbing intimidation campaign. The magazine’s office received a pig’s head on Thursday and a box containing six decapitated rats on Saturday. Activists and international organizations are demanding a full investigation into these acts, which are seen as a blatant attack on press freedom.
Tempo, a prominent publication since the 1970s, has been vocal in its criticism of President Prabowo Subianto’s policies, including recent budget cuts that sparked public protests. The magazine has a history of confronting authoritarian regimes; it was banned twice under the Suharto dictatorship.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International Indonesia have condemned the attacks, calling for the Indonesian authorities to ensure the safety of journalists and investigate the perpetrators. CPJ’s Asia program head, Beh Lih Yi, stated that journalists “must be able to do their work freely and safely without fear of retaliation.” Amnesty International Indonesia went further, warning that the incident risks turning journalism in Indonesia into a “death sentence.”
While presidential spokesman Hasan Nasbi initially downplayed the incident, he later affirmed the importance of upholding press freedom. Tempo’s editor-in-chief, Setri Yasra, vowed that the magazine would not be deterred from its journalistic mission.
The identity of those responsible for the threatening deliveries remains unknown. However, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Indonesia who dare to criticize the government. The attacks on Tempo come at a time when concerns over press freedom are rising in the country.
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