Journalists in Papua are on edge after a reporter was found dead, naked and handcuffed in a river in the Indonesian region’s south, Radio NEw Zealand International has reported.
Australia-based human rights advocate, Nick Chesterfield, said the Merauke environmental journalist had been reporting on financial irregularities and alleged military corruption. He said Ardiansyah Matra’is had become fearful after receiving threatening text messages and other journalists are now under police protection after getting similar threats.
“One of the text messages he got said, to cowardly journalists never play with fire if you don’t want to be burnt. If you still want to make a living on this land don’t do weird things. We have data on all of you and be prepared for death.” Chesterfield said the death came soon after a journalist was found dead in East Kalimantan after investigating alleged military corruption.
