Indonesian investigative outlet Tempo has faced escalating intimidation aimed at silencing its reporting. Despite threats, harassment and a lack of government protection, Tempo has continued to publish groundbreaking investigations that expose corruption and abuse of power. Its resilience has earned national recognition and reinforced its role as a cornerstone of accountability in Indonesia.
The work
In early 2024, Tempo’s Jakarta newsroom received two disturbing packages: a severed pig’s head addressed to political reporter Francisca Christy Rosana, and days later, six decapitated rats sent to the hosts of Tempo’s political podcast Bocor Alus Politik. The threats carried a clear message in a country where pork is taboo and rats symbolize betrayal: stop reporting.
These were not isolated incidents. Francisca had previously been doxed and her mother’s phone hijacked, while fellow host Hussein Abri Dongoran’s car was vandalized. Yet Tempo persisted. Its Professorship for Sale investigation exposed fraudulent academic appointments, winning the 2024 Adinegoro Journalism Award. Another exposé revealed a covert campaign by the Jokowi government to pay media outlets for favourable coverage. Tempo reported that its own business unit had refused state money, underscoring its editorial independence. The revelations led Indonesia’s Press Council to criticize the Ministry of Communication for undermining press freedom.
Tempo has not only consistently defended the role of public accountability in an increasingly authoritarian environment but also pioneered innovations at the intersection of tech and journalism. For years, survivors of sexual harassment on Indonesian university campuses were silenced by cover-ups and inadequate investigations that protected perpetrators. To confront this issue, Tempo developed Lapor Tempo, a secure reporting app that empowers survivors to share their stories safely with journalists, offering whistleblower protection and a path to justice. Within two months, the app received 52 reports from 35 universities, eventually leading to staff dismissals, suspensions and renewed police scrutiny of mishandled cases.
Impact
Despite mounting threats, Tempo continues to publish hard-hitting investigations that safeguard public accountability. Its work has sparked national debate, forced institutions to respond and won prestigious awards for reporting that combines courage with public service.
The intimidation directed at its journalists underscores the hostile climate for independent media in Indonesia. Yet Tempo’s refusal to be silenced highlights the essential role of independent reporting in exposing corruption and informing citizens.