Director of Anti-Violence Against Journalists at PWI Central, Edison Siahaan.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Central has taken a firm stance against the statement “do you have a brain?” made by Hotman Paris Hutapea’s congor in an emotional tone during a press conference at the Attorney General’s Office (NGO). The PWI Central reported Hotman Paris to the Polda Metro Jaya for his statement, deeming it to be demeaning to the journalism profession.

The Director of Anti-Violence for Journalists at the PWI Central, Edison Siahaan stated in a statement, that Hotman Paris statement was not only hurtful but also demeaning and belittling the journalism profession.

“As we know, yesterday there was an incident that actually hurt feelings and offended the journalist profession. Therefore, we at the PWI Central would like to report the person who said that journalists “don’t have brains.” As we know, journalists are very intelligent,” Edison told reporters at the Polda Metro Jaya Headquarters, Monday, July 20, 2026.

The PWI Central report was received under number: LP/B/5291/VI2028/SPKT/POLDAMETRO JAYA on Monday, July 20, 2026. The reporter in this case is Anrico Pasaribu, Head of the Legal Defense and Development Division of the PWI Central Office, who reported Hotman Paris under Article 242 of Law Number 1 of 2023.

Hotman Paris himself has actually publicly apologized for his remarks. However, according to Edison, the apology was not made with sincerity. Instead, it was seen as a flamboyant and controversial move to maintain popularity.

“So, even though he said he was giving an apology this morning, he apologized. He apologized, but it seems like it was just a habit of his. A flamboyant, controversial style to maintain popularity. It really wasn’t an honest apology from the bottom of his heart,” said Edison.

Therefore, he explained, the reason for reporting Hotman Paris to the police was so that Hotman Paris would be prosecuted according to the law.

“We want this to be processed legally so that it’s clear who’s behind his statement. We all agree that journalists should have freedom of opinion and freedom of expression. But this isn’t what was meant, right? It wasn’t insulting the journalism profession,” he further explained.

In reporting to the Polda Metro Jaya, the PWI Central presented evidence in the form of a video of Hotman Paris insulting journalists. He said, that various journalist organizations had agreed to support the report regarding Hotman’s alleged hate speech.

“The (evidence) video that has been widely circulated is actually that video. Perhaps your friends already have it. The videos they’re referring to are of people angry at our colleagues. We’ll present that to investigators later,” said Edison.

“Yes, it’s initial evidence. It might not just be PWI. We’ve already agreed with various journalist organizations, press circles, there are many press people. Press organizations will unite to support this report,” he continued, emphasizing.

Writer/Editor: Bembo