Photo: Koalisi Seni\/Nur Bandi Asro<\/p>\n
Jakarta, April 17, 2026 \u2013 Koalisi Seni launched its report \u201cMoving on Bravely Through the Gloom: State of Artistic Freedom in Indonesia 2025<\/strong>\u201d at Dialogue Kemang. The launch marks the fifth year Koalisi Seni has documented violations of artistic freedom in Indonesia since 2020. Over this period, the organization has also maintained a public complaint channel to gather direct reports from the public, alongside \u0440\u0435\u0433\u0443\u043b\u044f\u0440 media monitoring.<\/p>\n The launch discussion was moderated by choreographer Ishvara Devati, featuring speakers Sugar Nadia, Sukatani, Justitia Avila Veda, and Ratri Ninditya.<\/p>\n The 2025 report highlights a worsening situation in Indonesia, marked by an increase in violations against artists, ranging from the cancellation of works and intimidation to acts of violence. A total of 66 cases were recorded\u2014the highest number since monitoring began. This increase reflects not only improved monitoring methodologies but also a deteriorating environment for artistic expression.<\/p>\n \u201c2025 has been a difficult year for all of us. We have witnessed various forms of arbitrariness that not only affect the broader public but also directly impact artistic spaces,\u201d said Ratri Ninditya of Koalisi Seni.<\/p>\n Koalisi Seni identified several key patterns of violations throughout 2025. First, repression against critical artistic works continues, including intimidation of musicians, bans on symbols of expression, and the removal of public murals. Second, attacks on groups with minority gender identities and sexual orientations have increased, including the dissolution of art events and bans on performances. Third, the lack of safety in artistic spaces remains a concern, with incidents of violence at art events\u2014even resulting in fatalities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe number of cases in 2025 is the highest since 2010. This shows that the situation is far from okay\u2014we may no longer be on the edge, but already walking within the darkness itself,\u201d Ratri added.<\/p>\n The report also highlights the growing practice of self-censorship among artists. Fear of political risks and censorship pressures artists and organizers to limit their own expression even before external intervention occurs.<\/p>\n During the discussion, speakers emphasized that pressure on artistic freedom does not always come in the form of direct censorship, but also through more subtle, internalized mechanisms.<\/p>\n \u201cThe comfort zone formed by repression makes us unconsciously hold ourselves back. We become accustomed to not being too critical,\u201d said Sugar Nadia.<\/p>\n On the other hand, the discussion also underscored the lack of protection for art workers, particularly in the context of gender-based violence and power relations within production spaces.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot only respond after cases occur\u2014we must build an ecosystem that prevents them from happening in the first place,\u201d explained Justitia Avila Veda.<\/p>\n Beyond mapping the situation, the discussion stressed the importance of collective action in responding to increasingly complex challenges, as well as the need to create truly safe and inclusive artistic spaces for all. This perspective was also echoed by Sukatani\u2019s representative, who highlighted vulnerabilities across roles within the arts ecosystem.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are all in vulnerable positions, regardless of our roles in the arts ecosystem. That is why it is important to stay connected and share information on advocacy, mitigation, and safety,\u201d the representative noted.<\/p>\n Through this report, Koalisi Seni calls on various stakeholders\u2014including the government, artists, and event organizers\u2014to strengthen protections for artistic freedom. This includes creating safe artistic spaces, establishing clear protection mechanisms, and expanding public participation in monitoring violations.<\/p>\n The full report \u201cMoving on Bravely Through the Gloom: State of Artistic Freedom in Indonesia 2025\u201d is available through Koalisi Seni\u2019s official channels and is expected to serve as a reference for policy advocacy efforts and the strengthening of Indonesia\u2019s arts ecosystem.<\/p>\n Written by: Margaret Megan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Photo: Koalisi Seni\/Nur Bandi Asro Jakarta, April 17, 2026 \u2013 Koalisi Seni launched its report \u201cMoving on Bravely Through the Gloom: State of Artistic Freedom in Indonesia 2025\u201d at Dialogue Kemang. The launch marks the fifth year Koalisi Seni has documented violations of artistic freedom in Indonesia since 2020. Over this period, the organization has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":23752,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[549],"tags":[552],"coauthors":[325],"class_list":["post-23770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kabar-seni-en","tag-kebebasan-berkesenian-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n