JournalismPakistan.com | Published September 03, 2024 at 08:36 am | IFJ Media Release
Join our WhatsApp channel
CNN Indonesia's Head of Human Capital Development sent termination notices by email to 11 leading union activists on August 31, with the journalists barred from attending work and access to the company WhatsApp group and email system restricted the same day.
The layoffs came just days after employees of the broadcaster officially registered Solidaritas Pekerja CNN Indonesia (SCPI), translating to CNN Indonesia Workers Solidarity, with the country's Ministry of Manpower on August 27. Organized workers announced the union's registration on August 31, with an accompanying online discussion attended by Indonesian Press Council Chair Ninik Rahayu.
According to SCPI's Chair, workers had held a series of discussions over the past several months, in part responding to unsanctioned wage cuts imposed in June, issued without full agreement from staff or any compensation. Workers at the news service had previously faced layoffs without union representation. Throughout months of organizing efforts, journalists reported receiving threats and intimidation from management, who warned against unionization.
The union was officially declared on July 27 and brings together workers from broadcast services at CNN Indonesia TV and digital news via CNNIndonesia.com. The SCPI is the first labor union organized under Trans Media, a media and entertainment subsidiary of the Indonesian conglomerate CT Group headed by former minister and prominent businessman Chairul Tanjung.
Speaking with the IFJ, SINDIKASI Advocacy Coordinator Guruh Riyanto said: "As a union officially registered, the SPCI union is protected by Indonesian law. The act of terminating the unionised workers can be categorised as a form of union busting. It is strongly suspected to violate Article 28 of the Indonesian Labour Union Law that clearly protects the rights of the workers to unionise."
The right to form or join a trade union is protected in Indonesia under the 1945 Constitution, the Human Rights Law, and industrial relations legislation. Indonesia is also a signatory to the International Labor Organisation Conventions No. 87 and No. 98, which protect the Freedom of Association and the Right to Organize, and the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining respectively.
AJI said: "AJI assesses that the unilateral termination of employment by CNN management is contrary to the freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution. The decision to terminate SPCI members just hours after the union's establishment can be suspected as an attempt by the company to carry out union-busting (eradicating labour unions)."
SINDIKASI said: "SINDIKASI strongly condemns the alleged union busting by CNN Indonesia to the workers unionised under Solidaritas Pekerja CNN Indonesia (SPCI). The workers organised the union to respond to the salary cut by the management that had lasted for three months (June-August). […] SINDIKASI supports the SPCI union to organise and conduct collective bargaining. We also call for the press and media workers unions as well as other social movements to support the struggle of the SPCI union. The fulfillment of the media workers' rights will ensure the quality of journalism works as well as the rights of the people to access reliable information."
The IFJ said: "Union busting is illegal under Indonesia's Constitution and industrial legislation and is a blatant violation of workers' rights. At a time of global economic challenges, the act of terminating journalists for organising and imposing unsanctioned wage cuts is disgraceful and punishable by law. The IFJ strongly condemns the actions of CNN Indonesia and calls on the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the broadcaster reverses these unlawful dismissals and salary cuts, reinstating all affected workers."
Photo: Representational (AI-generated)
April 01, 2025: Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025: Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 27, 2025: Several journalists were attacked and forced to delete footage while covering anti-military protests in Indonesia. CPJ urges authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.
March 23, 2025: The severed pig’s head sent to Indonesia’s leading news outlet, Tempo, signals escalating media intimidation amid President Prabowo Subianto’s attacks on foreign-funded media.
March 14, 2025: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urges Maharashtra authorities to ensure their AI-driven media monitoring plan does not undermine press freedom. The initiative, which classifies news as positive or negative, raises concerns over government overreach and self-censorship.
March 11, 2025: Indian journalist and RTI activist Raghvendra Bajpai was shot dead in Uttar Pradesh on March 8 in a targeted attack. Media organizations, including IFJ, NUJ-I, and IJU, demand justice and an urgent investigation into his murder.
March 06, 2025: The arrest of Malaysiakini journalist B. Nantha Kumar by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has raised concerns over press freedom. The IFJ and NUJM call for a transparent investigation amid allegations of bribery and ongoing state harassment of independent media.
February 28, 2025: The Dewan Rakyat passed the Malaysian Media Council Bill on February 26, marking a historic step toward independent media regulation. Supported by journalists, unions, and media bodies, the council aims to set ethical standards, improve working conditions, and reform restrictive laws. The NUJM and IFJ celebrate this milestone while urging independence and adequate resourcing for the council.
April 11, 2025 Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025 The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025 Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025 The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025 Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.