jakarta,Indonesia – In a chilling incident highlighting the growing threats against media freedom globally,the offices of Indonesian magazine tempo were targeted with a disturbing act of intimidation. On Wednesday, march 19, 2025, a package containing a severed pig’s head was delivered to the magazine’s headquarters. The incident is raising concerns about the safety of journalists and the increasing attempts to silence critical reporting.

The package, wrapped in a cardboard box lined with styrofoam, was addressed to “cica,” the nickname of Francisca Christy Rosana, a political desk journalist at Tempo and host of the “Leaks of Alus politics” podcast. The package was received by the security unit on Wednesday afternoon and delivered to rosana the following day.

Hussein Abri Yusuf Muda Dongoran, a fellow journalist and podcast host, was present when the package was opened. “It has smelled a foul odor when the cardboard is opened,” he said,promptly suspecting a sinister motive. Upon opening the styrofoam lining, the gruesome contents were revealed. “The smell is more pungent and there is still blood,” Dongoran recalled.

Dongoran and other journalists moved the package outside. “Both of his ears were interrupted,” Dongoran noted, describing the condition of the pig’s head.

Editor in Chief setri Yasra condemned the act, stating, “We suspect this as an effort to terror and take steps that hinder journalistic work.” He emphasized the importance of protecting journalists and press freedom, referencing Law Number 40 of 1999, which safeguards the press and journalists in Indonesia.

“the freedom of the press must not be terrorized, disturbed, and intimidated for any reason,” Yasra asserted. “As every media carry out its functions that have been regulated by the law.”

Echoes of Intimidation: A U.S. Outlook

while this incident occurred in Indonesia, the implications resonate deeply within the United States, where press freedom is enshrined in the First Amendment. though, even in the U.S., journalists face increasing harassment and threats, both online and offline.

Consider the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), who found that threats toward journalists are on the rise in the digital age. These threats of violence and intimidation are intended to silence reporters and news organizations, whether located internationally or domestically.

Examples of Threats to Journalists in the U.S.:

These threats are not just abstract concerns; they have real-world consequences. For instance, during periods of heightened social unrest in the U.S., journalists covering protests have been subjected to physical assaults, arrests, and equipment damage. This creates a climate of fear and can deter reporters from covering critically important stories.

The Digital Age: A Double-Edged Sword

The digital age has brought unprecedented opportunities for journalists to connect with audiences and report on events in real-time. However, it has also created new avenues for harassment and intimidation. Social media platforms, in particular, have become breeding grounds for online abuse, where journalists are often subjected to targeted campaigns of harassment, threats, and doxing.

addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Enhanced Cybersecurity: News organizations must invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect journalists from online attacks and data breaches.
• Legal Protections: Strengthening legal protections for journalists, both domestically and internationally, is crucial to deterring those who seek to silence the press.
• Collaboration: Media organizations, civil society groups, and governments must work together to combat threats to press freedom and promote a safe environment for journalists to operate.
• Media Literacy: promote media literacy among the audience so they can identify true news in the sea of misinformation.

UN’s World Press Freedom Day: A Call to Action

The United Nations recognizes the critical role of a free and independent press in promoting democracy, accountability, and human rights. In May 2022, UN news reported that events for World Press Freedom Day would “reunite relevant stakeholders such as policymakers, journalists, media representatives, activists, cybersecurity managers and legal experts to explore these issues and develop concrete solutions to address the threats posed to press freedom and privacy in the digital age.”

This call to action underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts to protect journalists and defend press freedom in the face of growing threats. The incident at Tempo serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists around the world and the importance of standing in solidarity with those who are working to hold power accountable.