Crisis Communication of the Prabowo Administration in the Pig's-Head Terror Case against the Tempo Newsroom

Abstract

This study analyzes the Prabowo administration's crisis communication following the delivery of a pig's head to the Tempo newsroom in March 2025. The incident was publicly understood as intimidation against a journalist and press freedom. Using a qualitative descriptive case study, the research examines news reports, public statements by government officials, statements from journalist-safety organizations, and supporting literature. Crisis-communication criteria and authoritarian press theory are used to evaluate response speed, empathy, message consistency, institutional responsibility, and trust recovery. The analysis finds that a dismissive public remark attributed to the Head of the Presidential Communication Office shifted attention from the attack to the government's tone, amplified criticism, and created inconsistency with assurances of press freedom. The response did not sufficiently foreground concern for the victim, law-enforcement follow-up, or a coordinated recovery message. The case shows how inadequate empathy and message discipline can turn an external security incident into a reputational crisis for government. However, the unknown perpetrator and the absence of evidence linking the administration to the attack mean that the study evaluates public communication only; it does not establish government involvement. A credible response requires victim-centered empathy, factual updates, consistent interagency messaging, protection of journalistic work, and transparent follow-up.