Indonesian security officials attempt to prevent White House pool reporter Patsy Widakuswara from covering the summit between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta.

VOA news correspondent Patsy Widakuswara was reassigned after her director stopped her from covering the White House. She questioned Mike Pompeo at an event held at the news agency’s headquarters. Patsy was reassigned to VOA Indonesian service after the director of VOA news shouted at her for raising questions to the Secretary of State, calling her out of order. In reaction to this retaliation of officials against the journalist, 26 reporters have called for resignations of VOA director Robert Reilly, and his deputy director Elizabeth Robbins. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the news agency’s retaliation against Patsy Widakuswara. We believe that Patsy must be given the status and recognition she deserves.