Goodbye, Pak Jakob

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

Jakob Oetama

The passing of Jakob Oetama, one of the founders of the Kompas daily newspaper and a major figure in the national press, has caused deep sorrow for the large Kompas Gramedia family as well as this nation.

Jakob passed away at the age of 88 on Wednesday, 9 Sept. 2020, just 18 days before what would have been his 89th birthday on 27 Sept. 2020, while the Kompas daily he founded has exceeded the age of 55.

For the extended family of Kompas and Kompas Gramedia, Jakob was a charismatic figure who was also humble. He was a father and a teacher to journalists and employees of Kompas Gramedia. He looked at his employees as an asset to the company. However, despite all the attributions connected to him, Jakob always stated proudly: "I am a journalist."

The two major ideas that Jakob – and of course the Kompas daily – always raised are humanity and nationalism. These principles are at the heart of the Kompas daily. Journalism exists to celebrate humanity and for advancing the nation. Journalism should always contribute to a nation’s society and civilization.

What\'s wrong with this nation?

Jakob was always concerned about the fate of his nation and its people. Inspired by the thoughts of British historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee (1889-1975) on challenge and response, Jakob always tried challenge the status quo to improve it.

In a newsroom discussion, Jakob asked several times why our farmers are so poor. Why do our fishermen remain poor? Why are certain areas in the country so poor even though they had sufficient human resources? Why is this nation not moving forward? Why is corruption still rampant, even though the government switched from autocracy to democracy? What\'s wrong with this nation?

Also read: The Legacy of Jakob Oetama

As a journalist and an intellectual, Jakob was a man who always had big ideas and tried to apply them for the betterment of the country. He adopted the ideas of Culture Matters from Lawrence E. Harrison and Samuel P. Huntington to explain why this nation was “at a standstill”. One of the problems is culture.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Jakob Oetama (center) talks with the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid and his wife Sinta Nuriah at the 60th anniversary of Indonesia\'s Independence at the National Archives Building, West Jakarta, 15 August 2005.

He studied the works of a number of foreign scholars, such as Gunnar Myrdal (Asian Drama) and Anthony Giddens (Third Way), who became his sources of inspiration.

The style of journalism Kompas adopted that has lasted more than 55 years is entirely inseparable from Jakob\'s view on human beings: Human beings always have two sides, strengths and weaknesses. Jakob stated, therefore, “We’re no angels”.

Founded on these principles, Kompas always criticizes “with understanding”. The Kompas style of journalism s not journalism that “slams the table”, but journalism that attempts to persuade and offer solutions. In keeping with the character of its founder, Kompas journalism has maintained moderation.

Because of his love for country and nationalism, Jakob always challenged the conditions in this country. What about Aceh, what about Papua? How about Flores? Don\'t look at Indonesia from Jakarta only. Go out there and see how things are in that area. He encouraged people to get to know their homeland. "Many people have already [studied] land, but what about water? Who has explored our marine wealth?" Jakob said.

While the country was in mourning and great distress over the Bali bombings, Jakob led the 17 Aug. Independence Day event that year held by Kompas Gramedia employees. Jakob Oetama gave no speech and instead sang “Kulihat Ibu Pertiwi sedang bersusah hati…” (I see my motherland is in aguish...)

Several incidents reveal the depth of Jakob’s sense of nationalism. He always reminded us that language has many nuances, "Ati-ati nek mrucut (Be careful not to lose it)” or this nation could break up due to its social and regional divisions.

Jakob fought for his big ideas about humanity and the nation in his unique journalistic style on the pages of Kompas. Journalism was the way to fight for a better Indonesia. When the Kompas daily was forcibly closed and then the government issued a condition for its republication, Jakob accepted. Meanwhile, his senior P.K. Ojong rejected the government’s condition because it was too much for him. Jakob said, however, the struggle still had a long road ahead and needed a tool; that is, the media. "The dead can only be remembered, and cannot be asked to join the fight,” Jakob said at the time.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri (left) chats with Kompas Daily Leader Jakob Oetama (right) and Kompas Senior Editor August Parengkuan during a visit to the Kompas Office in Jakarta, April 2012.

Jakob is gone. However, his big ideas and his breed of journalism, which most on the Kompas editorial team refer to as “Jakobianism”, live on. The dedication of the Kompas editorial crew to upholding Jakob’s journalism, a journalism that is loyal to both humanity and nationalism, will remain a kompas (compass) for the nation.

The theme of the 55th Kompas anniversary, “Friends in Change”, was derived from a number of Kompas editions. How did Jakob imagine that the media and journalism should remain a friend to every change? And that journalism should contribute to change insofar as it can?

"Friends in Change" is not a mere slogan. This phrase demands Kompas to continue to adapt to change, especially changes in communications technology. The journalistic style of Kompas will continue to keep to Jakob’s recommendations, that it remain gentle in manner and firm in action (fortiter in re, as suaviter in modo).

We’re no angels.” Every person has their strengths and weaknesses.

The digital revolution and the Covid-19 pandemic have changed public behavior and the culture of communicating and consuming news. The existence of social media has changed information to become more personal. Social media is a real manifestation of the democratization of the media in its truest sense.

With limited space for newspapers, improving news quality, providing depth, offering perspective, prioritizing accuracy (precision journalism), and giving meaning to news (meaningful journalism) are the challenges ahead. Kompas and Kompas.id are fully committed to becoming a “clearing house of information” and a house of knowledge amid the dispersal of information. Kompas journalism is dedicated to continuing to benefit society, being a friend to change, and contributing to civilization.

As Jakob often quipped, “We’re no angels.” Every person has their strengths and weaknesses. And Errare humanum est: to err is human.

Farewell, Pak Jakob. Your teachings are eternal.