‘Kompas’ Is 55 Years Old

KOMPAS/MEDSOS CARD/ RACHAEL DEFANDI

Jakob Oetama, one of the founders of Kompas, emphasized Kompas journalism which was resolute in execution, gentle in manner,

Kompas daily enters the age of 55 on June 28. It is not the oldest media outlet, but this daily’s over half a century of journalistic pilgrimage is worth being grateful for.

In the world there are The Guardian, published since May 5, 1821; The New York Times, appearing since Sept. 18, 1851. Until June 28, 18,594 national issues were already in print, apart from regional and digital editions.

By chance, this anniversary coincides with the nation’s difficult situation. The silent revolution of COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on life. All sectors have suffered from its impact, including this daily. However, throughout its journey, the newspaper has maintained its loyalty and shares the joys and sorrows of the country.

Also read : Giving Meaning to Change

The theme of the 55th anniversary is appropriate, Kawan dalam perubahan (A partner in change). This daily is committed to continuing along with the nation’s journey with all its sociopolitical and economic dynamism.

Published by the end of the rule of president Sukarno on June 28, 1965, the daily has continued to accompany the nation’s expedition. The name Kompas was given by president Sukarno. This paper has served readers for 55 years and gone through seven presidents: Sukarno, Suharto, BJ Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and now Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. The daily was twice banned from publication by those in power.

The daily’s style of journalism is always inseparable from the view of Jakob Oetama, the founder and general manager of Kompas. Although the media leader has changed eight times, its outlook has remained. Man and humanity are the center of journalism. Man has two sides, goodness and weakness. We are no angels.

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

The front page of various newspapers published in Jakarta as seen on May 22. (22/5/2019)

This philosophy causes criticism to be conveyed with sympathy, criticism with understanding. Editors’ debates about common sense and independent stance in the editorial room provide guidance so that the daily reserves its identity, as indicated by Jakob quoting a French saying, un journal c’est un monsieur (A newspaper is a master). As written by PK Ojong in his book, Hidup Sederhana Berpikir Mulia (Modest Life with Noble Thoughts, 2001), employees are the main asset of this paper.

The change to digital technology has created a digital ecosystem that doesn’t support national press developments. The digital revolution changes the behavior of society in communicating or consuming news. The presence of social media makes information more personal. The trend of the media industry leads to personalization. News producers are no longer owned by news organizations. Even individuals can produce news content.

The public is entering the era of a post-truth society. Truth is not determined by the power of argumentation but rather by conviction. The new phenomenon appears as shown by Elisabeth Noelle Neumann in The Spiral of Silence (Jagat Digital/Digital World, Agus Sudibyo, 2019). The domination of majority opinion, which is even more the case in the post-truth era, is seen as “truth”. Those who dissent can be condemned.

Also read : Living the Legacy of the Pioneers

In such a situation, the public chooses to exercise restraint instead of opposing the dominant opinion in social media that sometimes is orchestrated. The public space is haunted by the fear of isolation. In this condition, the public needs the media to clarify information and one that strives to maintain a civilized public space while adhering to the journalistic ethical code.

The testimonies of some figures on the occasion of the daily’s anniversary will serve as material for reflection. This newspaper is trying to meet expectations and committed to being a partner in change, a place to find references, explain current affairs, offer solutions and make facts meaningful. And certainly it keeps monitoring the authorities in a courteous manner (as a polite watchdog). Its media style adopts the classic norm, firm and strong in principle but gentle and soft in temper (Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo/resolute in execution, gentle in manner). The media will play the role of the conscience of a nation.

The change in the public’s news consumption and the change in advertisers’ behavior has become a challenge for the media. Technology facilitates work, including the widespread Zoom application in the pandemic period, but technological utilization without ethical foundations will only result in plagiarism. In A Scorecard for Net News Ethics, Online Journalism Review, 2/4/2002, it was described that the process of news gathering with the aid of cut-and-paste technology is very easy, but it has the potential to lead to plagiarism.

Kompas

PK Ojong, founder of the Kompas.

This daily endeavors to remain relevant to the times without losing its identity. The Kompas daily, Kompas.id and an e-paper in the subscription format are made in response to change and for readers’ service. Amid the changing society and the overturned world of journalism, the daily is committed to realizing the dreams of convictions, of big aspirations, of a pluralist nation, a democratic nation, a prosperous nation as well as the presence of social justice and a nation devoid of corruption. Amid irrelevance, clarity of information is required.

Today, the toughest challenge to newspapers is to question their raison d’etre in society. In the book Kompas Way- Jakob’s Legacy, Hal Jurgensmeyer (1931-1995), a mass media leader under the group of Knight Ridder, the United States, holds the view that newspapers aren’t institutions engaged solely in the news business or information business. They are institutions engaged in the business of influence!

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the task of the media to invite the nation to conduct reflection, seek the meaning of the pandemic while encouraging ecological repentance, promoting social solidarity so that the nation won’t get lost. The pandemic has given rise to the new poor. This is a big problem.

Read also: Jakob’s Well

In this respect, the press — amid the internal issue it’s facing — has to fight for the fate of the poor so as to draw attention. As written by Frans Seda, in Kompas on June 28, 1990, amanat hati nurani rakyat (message of the people’s conscience) should remain the identity. The message of the people’s conscience isn’t a slogan randomly formulated. It came from profound selection and reflection out of the deep concern over the situation and condition of the population.

Nobel laureate for peace Muhammad Yunus referred to poverty as the absence of human rights. Mahatma Gandhi meanwhile said, “Poverty is the worst form of violence”.

This condition is in line with the daily’s philosophy to keep defending the destitute and reminding the well-to-do. It’s the direction pursued by Kompas’ journalism in a hard situation.

This daily thanks all parties that have given their support. Other than providentia dei (divine intervention), support is provided by the government, resource persons, readers, advertisers, paper boys and all those involved in media publication. Everybody’s support continues to be needed.