Rere Said Subakti’s Facebook account uses the term “bodrex journalist” in his post (above). Chairman of the Sukabumi Raya Branch of the Indonesian Journalists Association (DPC PWRI), Rizal Pane (below).

progresifjaya.co.id, SUKABUMI – A wave of protests against harassment of the journalist profession in Sukabumi has begun to go viral. After an official report was filed with the Ciracap Polsek, the Sukabumi Raya Branch Leadership Council of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWRI) spoke out on Friday, March 26, 2026.

The Head of the Sukabumi Raya PWRI Branch, Rizal Pane stated, that the insults made by Rere Said Subakti’s Facebook account against the work of journalists were not merely personal attacks. They amounted to an attempt to assassinate the character of all journalists working under the umbrella of the Press Law.

In his official statement, Rizal Pane also highlighted the use of the term “Bodrex Journalist.” He stated, that the term constitutes a form of insult and structured harassment intended to silence journalists’ critical thinking.

“We at PWRI strongly condemn this statement! Journalists are protected by law. They are the eyes and ears of the public. Calling journalists ‘Bodrex’ when they criticize Ujunggenteng tourism prices is evidence of legal ignorance and arrogance that endangers democracy in Sukabumi,” he stressed.

He also stated, that the Sukabumi Raya PWRI Branch will thoroughly monitor this case to create a deterrent effect. The use of the term “Bodrex journalist” in a Facebook post is considered a serious insult to the journalistic profession.

“There must be no more people or individuals who feel above the law and easily trample on the dignity of our profession on social media,” he reiterated, grumbling.

Speaking further, Rizal Pane also shared three major hopes from PWRI Sukabumi Raya for a better future for the information ecosystem in Sukabumi.

The first hope is digital literacy education. The public, he continued, must understand that social media has legal consequences. Freedom of expression does not mean being free to insult others’ professions.

Furthermore, Rizal Pane said, the Sukabumi Raya PWRI also hopes for transparency in the management of the Ujunggenteng tourism industry. The Ujunggenteng tourism management is expected to be more open to criticism, as journalists are not the enemy of tourism. Rather, they are strategic partners in ensuring clean and tourist-friendly governance.

Finally, the Sukabumi Raya PWRI also hopes for strong synergy with law enforcement. PWRI hopes the police, namely the Ciracap Polsek and the Sukabumi Polres will act professionally and transparently in processing this case report.

“The press is the fourth pillar of the nation. If its pillars are undermined by slander and insults, justice for the common people will collapse, whose voices are often only heard through writing,” Rizal Pane reiterated. (Bembo)