Discussion on journalist certification turns violent, exposing deeper issues of press credibility
A forum intended to promote journalistic integrity in Batam erupted into violence on June 14, 2025, when the chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Batam, M. Khafi Ashary, was assaulted for advocating professional certification for journalists.
Heated Forum Turns Hostile
The forum titled Klarifikasi Pers, held at Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay, was meant to clarify the narrative “Journalists Are Not Thugs.” However, tensions escalated when PWI Batam Chairman M. Khafi Ashary emphasized the need for journalist certification as required by Indonesia’s Press Council Regulation No. 1 of 2010.
Khafi warned that journalistic activity without certification could resemble “thuggery in disguise.” His comments provoked anger among several self-identified journalists attending the event, many of whom rejected certification requirements and reacted aggressively.
Physical Assault and Intimidation
Chaos erupted as participants physically attacked Khafi. Video footage circulating online shows him being punched while escorted out by the intelligence unit of Batu Ampar Police. PWI member Faisal, who tried to protect Khafi, sustained a leg injury after being pushed and falling during the altercation.
“This was no longer a discussion—it was pure intimidation and violence,” Khafi stated afterward, condemning the assault as an attack not only on himself but on journalistic integrity as a whole.
Certification: Legal and Ethical Obligation
Khafi reiterated that certification through the Journalist Competency Test (UKW) is a legal requirement. “Without UKW, claims to the title ‘journalist’ become dangerously ambiguous and can enable criminal behavior,” he said. However, his efforts to explain were continuously blocked by attendees who refused open dialogue.
Unable to continue, Khafi walked out of the forum, saying, “If we can’t have a healthy discussion, we will never reach clarity.”
A Broader Pattern of Coercion
Khafi linked the incident to a recurring pattern of coercion, especially during the student enrollment period (PPDB). He cited complaints from school principals in May 2025 who reported threats and extortion by individuals posing as journalists.
“This event confirms what educators have long voiced—criminal actors exploiting press identity to intimidate institutions,” he noted. Khafi emphasized that PWI’s criticism targets impostors, not legitimate journalists.
PWI Stands Firm Against Impostors
PWI Batam has pledged to stand firm against premanisme berkedok wartawan—thuggery under the guise of journalism. The violent turn of the forum, originally designed to uphold journalistic principles, has drawn strong condemnation and raised alarms about the growing presence of uncertified individuals claiming press status.
“Professional journalism is built on credibility and ethics—not coercion,” Khafi concluded. The incident has prompted renewed calls for strict enforcement of media laws and increased public awareness of certified journalism standards.
The violent disruption of a media forum in Batam exposes a pressing issue: the infiltration of press spaces by uncertified individuals who compromise both journalistic credibility and public safety. As Indonesia and regional neighbors like Singapore navigate an era of rapid information exchange, upholding press standards through certification and accountability becomes more crucial than ever.
Sources: Batam News Online (2025) , Batam Pos (2025)
Keywords: PWI Batam, Journalist Certification, Media Violence, Forum Clash Batam, M Khafi Ashary
