Editor’s Note
- IWAKUM, a professional journalist organization against criminalization and intimidation
- IWAKUM is led by Irfan Kamil
- IWAKUM files a petition to review the constitutionality of Article 8 of the Press Act
IWAKUM, a professional journalist organization against criminalization and intimidation
The Association of Legal Journalists (IWAKUM) is a professional journalist organization, established on July 31, 2022. IWAKUM is a professional organization representing journalists focused on legal reporting in Indonesia.
This organization serves as a platform for legal journalists from various media outlets to strengthen the professionalism, independence, and integrity of the press in upholding the rule of law, constitutional supremacy, and democracy.
IWAKUM, led by General Chairman Irfan Kamil
As a professional association, IWAKUM is legally registered by Decree of the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Indonesia, number AHU-0000743.AH.01.07.TAHUN 2025.
IWAKUM currently has 40 active members, consisting of journalists from various media outlets in Jakarta.
The IWAKUM board is led by General Chairman Irfan Kamil of Kompas.com, Secretary General Ponco Sulaksono, and other members from various leading media outlets.
IWAKUM files petition to review the constitutionality of Article 8 of the Press Act
The Association of Legal Journalists (IWAKUM) has made history with its contribution to press freedom. The organization, led by Kompas.com journalist Irfan Kamil, ultimately “freed” the press from legal prosecution.
In this case, IWAKUM is the petitioner seeking to review the constitutionality of Article 8 of the Press Act. This article is considered open to multiple interpretations and could harm journalists.
“IWAKUM simply wants to ask the Constitutional Court to clarify Article 8 regarding the legal protection of journalists. We want the press to ensure that journalistic work is not criminalized,” said Irfan Kamil.
In ruling number 145/PUU-XXIII/2025, read out on January 19, 2026, the Constitutional Court partially granted IWAKUM’s request and emphasized that journalistic work cannot be directly prosecuted without first consulting the Press Council. This strengthens the constitutional protection of journalists.
“In the future, law enforcement officers and private individuals will no longer be able to file lawsuits. This should be a concern for law enforcement officers, the National Police, the Public Prosecution Service, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK),” he said. ***adh
