BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – Aliansi Jurnalis Independen Denpasar held a public discussion titled “Challenges and Threats to Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Bali” at the AJI Denpasar Secretariat on Jalan Sedap Malam, Denpasar, on Friday (May 22, 2026).

The discussion brought together students, academics, and journalists from various media organizations across Bali. Speakers at the forum warned about shrinking space for criticism, increasing intimidation against journalists, criminalization of activists, and growing challenges facing journalism in the digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) era.

Lecturer of Communication Studies at Udayana University, Ni Made Ras Amanda Gelgel, said journalists and mass media are currently facing serious challenges and dilemmas, ranging from physical violence against reporters to digital disruption and declining media independence due to economic pressures.

According to her, the use of AI in newsrooms may improve efficiency, but excessive reliance on the technology without human verification risks undermining credibility, accuracy, and journalistic ethics.

“AI has become a major concern because many are already indicated to be using AI,” she said.

She also highlighted the dominance of social media algorithms, advertising, and viral-driven content, which she said has weakened the financial condition of mainstream media outlets. As a result, journalists’ welfare is increasingly under pressure while they are still expected to maintain professionalism and idealism.

“This has become a dilemma for media workers, balancing welfare and standing firm on journalistic idealism,” she added.

Ras Amanda further warned that journalists’ critical capacity has significantly declined because many media outlets rely heavily on government press releases without conducting in-depth factual verification.

“The critical capacity of journalists has drastically declined because of the overwhelming number of press releases and the absence of factual verification. This practice often occurs because media organizations are too close to those in power,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Head of Advocacy at LBH Bali, Ignatius Rhadite, said the condition of press freedom and freedom of expression in Indonesia throughout 2025 had become increasingly alarming.

“There has been systematic conditioning through various channels, and authoritarianism is getting stronger. Press freedom is currently in a worrying state,” he said.

Rhadite revealed that between August and September 2025 alone, 6,719 demonstrators were arrested during protests, while 959 people were named suspects.

Violence against journalists also increased significantly. Data from AJI Indonesia recorded 89 cases of violence against journalists and 22 incidents of terror and intimidation throughout 2025.

In addition, the 2025 annual report from LBH Pers documented 96 incidents of violence against the press involving around 146 victims, including journalists, media organizations, sources, and student press members.

For violations of freedom of expression in digital spaces, authorities recorded 351 cases involving 334 victims throughout 2025, an increase compared to 2024.

Rhadite also highlighted rising violence and criminalization targeting environmental defenders and human rights activists in Indonesia. Data from WALHI covering the 2014–2024 period showed that 1,131 people experienced violence or criminalization for defending the environment, with 544 cases proceeding to criminal prosecution.

Research by Auriga Nusantara further recorded 33 cases of violence, intimidation, and criminalization against environmental defenders throughout 2025, affecting 198 people. The figure increased from 26 cases with 80 victims in 2024.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International Indonesia reported that at least 295 human rights defenders faced various forms of attacks and criminalization during 2025.

Specifically in Bali, Rhadite highlighted the demonstration on August 30, 2025, which resulted in the arrest of 170 protesters, with 18 people later named suspects. Six journalists covering the protest were also reportedly subjected to violence.

“The arrests in Bali were the largest since the Reformasi era. There were 18 suspects and six journalists became victims of violence, including being forced to delete recordings. There was excessive use of force in crowd control,” he said.