Rights group, journalists press Indonesian govt to lift Internet curb in restive Papua

Indonesian president Joko Widodo said in televised remarks that the Internet curb was for 'our common good'. – AFP

Rights group and journalists slammed the Indonesian government's move to block Internet access in its easternmost region of Papua on Friday, saying it made reporting events there difficult after violent protests during which buildings were torched.

Abdul Manan, chairman of Indonesia's Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), said the measure had "obstructed our right to obtain information" and prevented journalists from reporting on events there.