BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – The Bali Journalists Solidarity (SJB) staged a protest in Denpasar on Sunday (August 2, 2026), condemning President Prabowo Subianto’s reference to journalists, reporters, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and observers as “londo ireng.”

The protest was held in front of the Bali People’s Struggle Monument in Puputan Renon Field, coinciding with the city’s car-free day. The action drew the attention of residents who were spending their Sunday morning in the area.

Several members of the public also showed their support by signing a large white banner prepared by the protesters.

The journalists carried a number of posters, including messages such as “Wowo, Journalists Are Not Londo Ireng,” “Our Skin May Be Dark, But We Are Not Londo Ireng,” “The President Must Apologize,” and “Reporting the Facts Is Not a Sin.”

The protesters took turns delivering speeches emphasizing the importance of press freedom and the media’s role in monitoring government power.

The protest also featured a theatrical performance using masks depicting Prabowo Subianto, Puan Maharani and Sufmi Dasco Ahmad. The performance was presented as satire directed at what the protesters described as close political relations between the executive and legislative branches.

One resident who joined the protest by signing the banner, Moch Decky Apriadi, said the action was necessary to defend the role of journalists in providing independent information.

“Journalists must report what actually happens. If something is good, it should be reported as good. If something is bad, it must also be reported as it is,” he said.

He argued that if journalists merely became government mouthpieces, the information delivered to the public would no longer be balanced.

Such a situation, he said, could pose a threat to democracy because the public would lose an independent source of information for monitoring those in power.

SJB Condemns “Londo Ireng” Label

SJB action coordinator Rizki Setyo Samudero strongly condemned Prabowo’s statement and the labeling of journalists as “londo ireng.”

“We, the Bali Journalists Solidarity (SJB), a coalition of press organizations, media companies and civil society elements concerned about freedom of expression and press freedom, strongly condemn Prabowo Subianto’s statement labeling journalists as ‘londo ireng,’” Rizki said.

According to SJB, the press has a crucial role in a democratic society, particularly as a mechanism for public oversight of government.

Rizki said that amid concerns over the weakening of the legislative branch’s oversight role, the press should remain an important check on executive power.

“The press is essentially the last bastion of democracy. Therefore, attacking and stigmatizing the press with the label ‘londo ireng’ is tantamount to attempting to undermine the last line of defense available to the public in overseeing the government,” he said.

SJB considers the statement an insult to the journalism profession as well as to groups and individuals who express criticism of the government.

“If the press and those who voice criticism are silenced through negative stigmatization, it clearly reflects an anti-criticism government that is allergic to public scrutiny,” Rizki said.

SJB Demands Presidential Apology

SJB also argued that Prabowo’s statement was inconsistent with the principles of press freedom and the mandate of Indonesia’s Press Law.

The organization emphasized that journalists work in the public interest, not for foreign interests or political groups.

Rizki also criticized what he described as recurring narratives portraying critical journalists and observers as threats, foreign agents, enemies of the people or members of media organizations that are allegedly not neutral.

He said such rhetoric could undermine independent journalism and delegitimize critical reporting intended to inform the public rather than bring down the government.

SJB is demanding that Prabowo apologize for the statement and stop using rhetoric that could contribute to negative stigmatization of journalists and civil society groups.

The organization also called on the President to be more open to criticism and to listen to public concerns.

“Criticism from the press and civil society is not a threat. It is an honest reflection of public conditions that requires the serious attention of the country’s leader,” Rizki said.

The protest in Denpasar marks another expression of concern from the press community over rhetoric directed at journalists and other critical voices, with SJB emphasizing that independent journalism and public criticism are essential elements of a functioning democracy.