Fiery deaths of Indonesian journalist, family spark fears over corruption, media safety

The gruesome deaths of Indonesian TV journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and three of his family members have raised concerns about the rule of law and low wages of reporters in the country as initial investigations point to foul play linked to corruption.

Days before his death, Rico, 40, who worked for Medan-based online media TV Tribrata, reported on a local gambling ring that was allegedly backed by a member of the military.

The journalist’s wooden house in Karo, North Sumatra was later engulfed in a fire on June 27. Four people died in the fire, including Rico, his 48-year-old wife, 12-year-old son and three-year-old grandson.

The case sparked a backlash from online users, who lambasted law enforcement agencies and pointed to past cases of journalists who had reported on sensitive issues and later died in mysterious circumstances.

Major journalist groups in Indonesia claimed Rico and his family were targeted by corrupt officials. Police have said they are still investigating the case and condemned any violence against reporters.

The national coordinator for the Committee on Safety for Journalists (KKJ), Erick Tanjung, said his organisation’s initial investigation has indicated possible foul play in Rico’s case.

“We urge the police, the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies to work hard and sincerely to get to the bottom of the case and give Rico’s family the closure and justice they desperately need.”

Formed in 2019 by journalists’ associations and legal aid groups, KKJ is an advocacy group that works on behalf of journalists facing violence or threats in their line of duty. KKJ sent its investigation team to Medan a day after Rico’s death.

AJI (the Alliance of Independent Journalists) Medan Chairman Cristison