Presidential Press Bureau Demonstrates How to Win Friends and Influence Journalists
Published · By Satya Pramesi
On 29 September 2025, the Presidential Press Bureau revoked the credentials of a CNN Indonesia journalist after she questioned President Prabowo Subianto about the *Makan Bergizi Gratis* program upon his return from the UN. The Press Council swiftly condemned the move. Following public backlash, the bureau reinstated the journalist’s access. The episode was widely seen as a self-inflicted blow to the bureau’s reputation. This news update has been presented by Satya Pramesi for Indonesia Last Week, bringing you the latest in political and technology developments.
What Actually Happened
| # | Claim | Date | Entities | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Presidential Press Bureau seized the credentials of a CNN Indonesia journalist after she asked President Prabowo Subianto about the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program. | Presidential Press Bureau, CNN Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto, Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) | CNN Indonesia (archived) | |
| 2 | The journalist asked the question as the president returned from the UN. | President Prabowo Subianto, UN | Tempo.co (archived) | |
| 3 | The commentary noted that the president showed more support to Israel than any other president in Indonesian history during his UN visit. | President Prabowo Subianto, UN, Israel | Kompas.com (archived) | |
| 4 | The Press Council condemned the seizure of the journalist's credentials. | Press Council, CNN Indonesia | CNN Indonesia (archived) | |
| 5 | After days of pressure, the Presidential Press Bureau returned the journalist's credentials. | Presidential Press Bureau, CNN Indonesia | Kompas.com (archived) | |
| 6 | The commentary described the incident as the Press Bureau making itself look bad. | Presidential Press Bureau | Kompas.com (archived) | |
| 7 | The commentary suggested the Press Bureau's actions were better than looking authoritarian. | Presidential Press Bureau | Instagram Video (Primary Source) (archived) | |
| 8 | The commentary implied the Press Bureau could learn from the president about avoiding authoritarian appearances. | Presidential Press Bureau, President Prabowo Subianto | Instagram Video (Primary Source) (archived) |
Last weekend, the Presidential Press Bureau confiscated the press pass of a CNN Indonesia journalist. The journalist had asked President Prabowo Subianto a question about the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG, or Free Nutritious Meals) program. The president had just returned from the United Nations, where, according to the commentary, he showed more support to Israel than any other president in Indonesian history.[1] [2] [3]
The Press Council condemned the seizure. After several days of public pressure, the bureau returned the journalist’s credentials.[4] [5]
The Press Bureau managed to make itself look bad without actually changing anything. Perhaps the bureau could take pointers from the president himself on navigating such optics. If the alternative is looking authoritarian, looking merely incompetent is a step in the right direction.[6]
Journalists are meant to ask questions about programs like MBG. The bureau’s response suggests a preference for silence over scrutiny. Or perhaps the sensitivity is simply a byproduct of the program’s extreme success, as the commentary put it.[7]
The journalist retained their credentials, the bureau retained its authority, and the public retained its right to wonder just how much of this was a calculated move and how much was sheer miscalculation.[8]
Sources
- CNN Indonesia (archived)
- Tempo.co (archived)
- Kompas.com (archived)
- Kompas.com (archived)
- Instagram Video (Primary Source) (archived)
Original video: TikTok source