Indonesian Conservation Media Center

Alliance of Independent Journalists

Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) born as Indonesian press community resistance against the arbitrariness of the New Order regime, stems from banning Detik, Editor and Tempo, on June 21, 1994. The three was banned because of critical coverage that pertained to the ruler. This repressive action that triggers the action of solidarity as well as resistance from many circles evenly in a number city. After that, the resistance movement continues to crystallize. Finally, about 100 journalists and columnists gathered in Sirnagalih, Bogor, August 7, 1994. That day,  they signed Sirnagalih Declaration. The essence of this declaration is demanding the fulfillment of the public right to information, against the restraint of the press, refused to single forum for journalists, and announced the establishment of AJI.

In the New Order, AJI entry in the list of banned terrorist organizations. Therefore, this organizational operations underground.  To avoid the pressure of the security apparatus, management systems and organization was held in private. This system was very effective to run the organization's mission, especially at that time, AJI has members only less than 200 journalist.
In addition to demonstrations and condemned the repressive actions against the media, AJI also publishes an Independent alternative magazine, which later became a “Suara Independen”.
This underground movement require expensive. Three members of AJI, Ahmad Taufik, Eko Maryadi and Danang Kukuh Wardoyo thrown into jail, in March 1995. Taufik and Eko go to jail each for three years, 20 months Danang.  Followed Andi Syahputra, AJI publisher partners, who went to prison for 18 months on October 1996.

Then,  AJI activists who work in the media  have restricted movement. Officials of Information Department and the Indonesian Journalists Association also did not hesitate to put pressure on the chief editor for not hiring them in the media.

finally, consistency in fighting for this mission puts AJI into groups who encourage democratization and against authoritarianism. This is what led to the recognition of the elements of pro-democracy movement in Indonesia . This led to the recognition of the elements of pro-democracy movement in Indonesia, so that AJI is known as a defender of freedom of the press in Indonesia.