Indonesia Frees ‘Playboy’ Editor
We've been tracking the fate of Erwin Arnada since 2006, when the editor launched a PG version of Playboy in the world's most populous Muslim country After all these years, the Indonesian high court has invalidated the indecency charges on which Arnada was convicted It's a big day for swimsuits in Bali.
We’ve been tracking the fate of Erwin Arnada since 2006, when the editor launched a PG version of Playboy in the world’s most populous Muslim country. After all these years, the Indonesian high court has invalidated the indecency charges on which Arnada was convicted. It’s a big day for swimsuits in Bali.
Arnada is on Twitter, as is his lawyer. Here are some machine-translated tweets from the latter (we couldn’t get Arnada’s tweets translated and our Indonesian is rusty):
“Erwin Arnada will be free. Who wins is the freedom of the press. Winning is common sense.”
“Kudos to the Supreme Court who consistently defended the freedom of the press, off-kill idealism and creativity of the press.”
“Truth and justice are not to be subject to the loud voices who are not necessarily empty. Justice is a victory of common sense.”
— PZS
TRUTHDIG’S JOURNALISM REMAINS CLEARBBC:
Todung Mulya Lubis [Arnada’s lawyer] told BBC Indonesian that Mr Erwin was now a free man.
“We ourselves have not received a copy of its decision, but the Supreme Court said the verdict had been issued and an application is granted,” he said.
The magazine contained no nudity and critics argued the trial highlighted the growing power of Islamist groups.
The storytellers of chaos tried to manipulate the political and media narrative in 2025, but independent journalism exposed what they tried to hide. When you read Truthdig, you see through the illusion.
Support Independent Journalism.
Editorial Cartoons
Truthdiggers
Critical journalists view the slaughter of their colleagues in Paris from a deeply personal perspective. "Does my work threaten my life?" we ask ourselves.
Books
In 'Knife,' his memoir on narrowly surviving a vicious attack, the acclaimed author interrogates a world where liberal principles have become old-fashioned.
Editorial Cartoons
Media
In the wake of a report highlighting the placement of antisemitic content alongside paid ads, the principal owner of X has sued Media Matters.
Activism
His arrest is a politically motivated attack against one of the most vocal critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.