Several interview excerpts indicate threats and extortion by several media outlets against the Subang Polres Unit, the Tasikmalaya City Polres Unit, and the Sukabumi Polres Unit.

progresifjaya.co.id,  JAKARTA – The slanderous news attacks against the Driver’s License Administration Unit (Satpas) of the Subang Polres, Tasikmalaya City Polres, and Sukabumi Polres, in the Polda of West Java, have drawn serious attention from the West Java Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of the Indonesian Morality Watch (IMW NGO). In the West Java chapter of IMW, the slanderous news clearly demonstrates not genuine journalistic activity, but rather an attempt at intimidation and extortion under the guise of journalism.

“I’ve seen all the evidence of the conversations and the broadcast of the news. There was absolutely no confirmation to ensure a balanced report. It was more intimidation, threats, and language of terror conveyed in the WhatsApp conversation,” said Edwar, Chairman of the West Java branch of the IMW, on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

He also explained, that all the broadcasts of the slanted news had been proven to violate the Journalistic Code of Ethics (KEJ) because they were unbalanced and unconfirmed. Furthermore, several websites that broadcast the news were also proven to have violated the Press Council’s regulations regarding press companies by not including any information in the editorial box.

“They broadcast slanted news as if they were correcting a legal violation. Yet, it’s clear they themselves have violated the law. This is tantamount to the metaphor of a thief crying thief,” he asserted.

Edwar emphasized, that perpetrators who use the name of the media and the profession of journalism as a cover for such acts must be dealt with firmly. Besides being subject to a report to the Press Council for violating the KEJ, their intimidating and extorting actions are also criminal offenses and warrant arrest.

“A true journalist would never threaten or extort a source. Anyone who dares to do something like this is called a con artist and extortionist. Just report them to the Regional Police Cyber ​​Unit for immediate arrest and a deterrent effect,” Edwar stated bluntly.

Furthermore, he appealed to the Subang Polres Satpas, Tasikmalaya City Polres Satpas, and Sukabumi Polres Satpas to have the courage to resist and not give in to their demands for money. If their work were purely as journalists, there would never be any takedown requests or threatening language that ultimately smacks of money.

“There’s a right of reply request under the Press Law, so it just needs to be fulfilled and published. Journalists who publish biased news must also have strong legal evidence to report extortion. They shouldn’t present biased statements. The who, when, where, and how must be clear and supported by evidence. If none of this is the same as publishing false information,” explained Edwar.

“And the IMW NGO’s stance on this issue is also clear and firm. Report it to the Press Council or file a complaint with the West Java Regional Police’s Cyber ​​Crime Unit. That’s the only solution to create a deterrent effect,” he added.

Writer/Editor: Bembo