Yes, filming police officers in Indonesia is generally permitted under the 2026 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, provided it adheres to privacy and public order provisions. The Constitution guarantees freedom of expression (Article 28E(3)), but this is balanced against restrictions under the 2008 Law on Public Information Disclosure and the 2016 Police Act, which prohibit recordings that disrupt operations or violate privacy. Civil society groups, including the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), have successfully challenged police attempts to confiscate devices, reinforcing the right to document public officials in non-sensitive contexts.
Key Regulations for Filming Police Officers in Indonesia
- Public Order Clause (Article 28(2) ITE Law): Filming must not incite unrest, endanger security, or violate public decency. Police may intervene if recordings escalate tensions or obstruct duties, per the 2016 Police Act (Article 15).
- Privacy Protections (Article 26 ITE Law): Capturing identifiable individuals without consent in non-public spaces (e.g., police stations) risks civil liability. The 2022 Omnibus Law on Job Creation amended this to exclude “public interest” exceptions for journalists.
- Operational Interference (Article 18 Police Act): Recordings during arrests or investigations may be restricted if they hinder police work. The National Police Chief Regulation No. 8/2021 mandates officers to document such incidents, implying a duty to allow filming unless classified as sensitive intelligence.
Enforcement Nuances: While courts (e.g., Jakarta State Administrative Court, 2023) have ruled against arbitrary confiscations, police often cite “operational secrecy” under the 2011 State Intelligence Law to block recordings. Foreign nationals face additional scrutiny under the 2012 Immigration Law, which permits deportation for “disruptive” conduct. Always verify local ordinances, as municipal regulations (e.g., Jakarta’s 2020 Public Order Bylaws) may impose stricter conditions.