Press freedom is a fundamental element in sustaining an effective democracy. This principle guarantees the public’s right to information, enables legitimate criticism of those in power, and serves as a vital instrument in ensuring government accountability. However, press freedom cannot be separated from the essential prerequisite of guaranteeing the safety and protection of journalists as key actors in performing the function of social oversight in the public sphere.
The first year of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka marks a critical period for reflecting on the nation’s direction and commitment to democratic principles, including press freedom. During this time, Indonesian journalists continue to face various risks in the course of their professional duties, ranging from physical violence, intimidation, and criminalization, to digital attacks, as well as increasingly complex structural and economic pressures. These conditions indicate that the safety of journalists has not yet fully become an institutionalized priority within our democratic governance.
The 2025 Journalist Safety Index serves as a systematic effort to objectively and evidence-based assess these conditions. The index was compiled by the Tifa Foundation as part of the work of the Safe Journalism Consortium, whose members include the Association for the Development of Indonesian Media (PPMN) and the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG). The research process was supported by Populix as a research partner, and this report documents the real-life experiences of journalists across various regions and media outlets. The Index not only presents statistics but also reflects the dynamics of power relations, policies, and practices that influence the safe working environment for journalism in Indonesia.
More than just a monitoring tool, the 2025 Journalist Safety Index is expected to serve as a basis for critical reflection for the government at the outset of its consolidation of power, as well as a reference for media organizations, law enforcement agencies, and civil society in strengthening a free and safe press ecosystem. Without protected journalists, press freedom will be fragile. Without press freedom, democracy will lose one of its main pillars.
The Tifa Foundation believes that the protection of journalists is not a sector-specific issue, but rather a shared responsibility to uphold the quality of democracy. We present this report as a reminder that the safety of journalists is an absolute prerequisite for fulfilling the public’s right to information and for the future of an inclusive, open, and just democracy in Indonesia.
The 2025 Journalist Safety Index can be downloaded here.