Legal Protection for Journalists Covering News in The Digital Age in Indonesia

The development of digital technology has significantly changed journalism practices in Indonesia. In the past, journalists worked mostly in print and conventional broadcast media, but now the presence of online media and social media platforms has expanded the scope of coverage and accelerated the dissemination of information. In addition to presenting factual news, journalists must also master digital technology, such as multimedia, data analytics, and direct interaction with audiences in the digital space. These changes open up opportunities to reach a wider readership and improve access to information, but they also pose new and complex challenges. In the digital age, the risks faced by journalists are increasingly diverse. Physical violence still occurs, especially when covering sensitive issues such as political conflicts, demonstrations, or corruption cases. However, threats in the virtual world are also very serious, including hacking of personal accounts, dissemination of personal data, and cyber attacks aimed at damaging the credibility of journalists. In addition, criminalization through the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law) poses a major threat. Journalistic products that should be protected by the Press Law are often prosecuted as criminal defamation under the ITE Law. This paper aims to analyze legal protection for journalists in the digital age in Indonesia. The focus of the analysis includes the applicable regulatory framework, such as the Press Law, the ITE Law, and the role of the Press Council, as well as obstacles to its implementation in the field. Thus, this study is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of the legal protection of journalists in the digital age while offering strategic recommendations to strengthen press freedom and the safety of journalists in Indonesia.