Female Journalist barred from covering Indonesian president-elect’s visit

A senior journalist was barred from reporting on the visit of the Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, as the country finds ways of addressing the alleged human rights abuses of West Papuans.

Harlyn Joku, a West Papuan originally and employed with Benar News told this newsroom, she registered to cover the arrival of Subianto, however was informed at the Jacksons international airport that she could not cover.

"The foreign affairs lady at the front of the entrance was giving out the passes and checking the name on the list.

"So, when she saw me, she pointed my name on the list, but then she apologized and said, I had to wait for Helen, Justin Tchenchko press secretary, to explain to me that there was an issue.

"When Helen came, she gave me my media pass. Then she told me that the Indonesian officials saw my name on the list and wanted it to be removed.

"They didn't want me to be covering the arrival of the president,"Joku explained.

This is the second time Ms. Joku was refused by Indonesian officials.

She encountered a similar experience during President Joko Widodo’s visit last year to the country.

Ms. Joku described the barring as a “big threat "to the freedom of the press and media in PNG and not right for a foreign country to dictate how local journalists should cover certain events:

"I was pretty upset. I decided I'll just head straight home after the arrival of the president and yeah, I was very upset.

"I was just thinking, you know, like if the Indonesian officials can easily try to manipulate the media listings, give directions to the media, our media, that this journalist can cover this event and that journalist cannot.

"I mean, what is that? We are a sovereign, independent country and we shouldn't be dictated to by, you know, foreigners, especially the Indonesians who are our neighbors over the other side," Joku added.

Ms. Joku says as a senior journalist in the country, she always tried her best to be fair in her reporting for PNG’s advancement - a place she calls home.

While given allowance by Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko to cover the arrival of Subianto, Joku was advised, she was not allowed to attend the press conference after the bilateral meeting.

The media were not allowed to ask questions at the press conference.

Meanwhile the Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa told NBC News, PNG is a democratic country founded on principles of peace, harmony and no bloodshed.

He says since Independence, there has not been any media restrictions - however this has changed recently.

"Leadership must respect Freedom of Speech in our nation. We are governed by the constitution of this nation, and it must be respected," Tomuriesa said.

Foreign Affairs refused to comment when NBC News reached out to them.

NBC News is now seeking comments from the Indonesian embassy.