40 years on, 'Kompas' sharper than ever<\/p>\n
Readers of the nation's largest newspaper, Kompas,
\nwere introduced on June 28 to its new format. The daily's chief
\neditor, Suryopratomo, spoke with The Jakarta Post's Ridwan Max
\nSijabat on the modernization of the 40-year-old newspaper.<\/p>\n
Question: Why did you alter the size and design of Kompas?<\/p>\n
Answer: Well, first of all, we decided to change the daily's
\nformat after many years of preliminary discussions and
\npreparations. It's the third major change in the daily's design.
\nPrior to that, the second major change was in 1996, when we
\ninvited media designer Roger Black to redesign the format. But,
\nthe daily's size was maintained.<\/p>\n
In observing the daily's 40th anniversary, all stakeholders
\nalong with Pak Jakob Oetama -- in his capacity as co-founding
\nfather -- decided to publish the daily in a new format. All the
\nnecessary preparations, including the establishment of an
\ninternal design team and the hiring of a professional media
\ndesigner, were made one year before.<\/p>\n
The 40th anniversary this year was seen as a good opportunity,
\nbut not only to make (physical) changes. The vision and values of
\nthe newspaper have also undergone a comprehensive transformation.
\nThis transformation is reflected in the daily's new look, content
\nand ads placement.<\/p>\n
We needed a comprehensive overhaul to accommodate our fast-
\ngrowing young readership and to make the daily more competitive
\namid fierce competition.<\/p>\n
Do you follow global trends in the media industry for the sake
\nof efficiency<\/p>\n
Yes, the new size and look is in line with global trends. We
\nhave realized that amid the digital and post-modern era, people
\nspend only a short time reading newspapers as their daily routine
\nis often rigid.<\/p>\n
The face-lift is comprehensive as we have changed not only the
\ndaily's design and size but added pages for certain domestic,
\nhuman and international issues, which, so far, have been our
\nstrength in running the newspaper.<\/p>\n
In line with demands brought on by global trends, we are
\ncommitted to maintaining our credibility and sharpening the
\nvalues we have adopted. Therefore, we are committed to running
\naccurate and concise stories, to maintain the credibility we have
\ndeveloped for 40 years among our readership.<\/p>\n
Our reasons for modernizing the design were not just about
\nefficiency. The process was carried out in healthy financial
\nconditions and the production costs were virtually the same,
\nbefore and after the face-lift. Despite the change in size,
\nproduction costs have remained high because all pages are fully
\ncolored.<\/p>\n
Would you like to go into details on the new look?<\/p>\n
Mario Garcia helped redesign not only Kompas, which appears in
\nJakarta, but also its special local editions\/sections in certain
\nregions across the country.<\/p>\n
With the redesign, we are making a transformation. We want to
\ngive the public a good impression that the changes are made not
\namid a crisis but amid a healthy financial condition, with the
\nstrong will to give our readers a better product.<\/p>\n
It is better to undergo transformation pre-crisis as when the
\ncrisis eventually comes it will be too late to make changes.<\/p>\n
With the transformation, we have not only made changes to the
\ndaily's format but require all staff, especially journalists, to
\nmake adjustments. Journalists need to be able to place themselves
\namid the changes, and improve their competence in line with the
\ndemands of the new Kompas.<\/p>\n
Journalist must improve their competence in news-gathering and
\nwriting. They are required to think and write simultaneously --
\nit is what is called visual thinking.<\/p>\n
Our journalists are required to write concisely and
\naccurately. Redundancies must be avoided and professionalism is
\nmaintained. But they need time to make the adjustment.<\/p>\n
Kompas also came up with an editorial policy to give bylines
\nto well-prepared stories, either hard-news stories, analysis or
\nfeatures, which usually appear on the front page. The giving of
\nbylines is also an incentive for journalists.<\/p>\n
How about the number of pages?<\/p>\n
Kompas is now between 48 pages and 64 pages. Previously, it
\nwas less than 44 pages. The number of pages is more than
\npreviously as the number of certain section's pages is 16 from
\nthe previous 12. The pages have been increased to accommodate the
\nincreasing number of problems emerging in all fields.<\/p>\n
Is the new format final?<\/p>\n
Yes, but the process is still underway. We have a stylebook
\nfor all pages and sections and all sides in the editorial room
\nare required to comply with it. But our team and Mario's team are
\nstill working to supervise the process until it is found to be
\ncomplete.<\/p>\n
In September, Garcia will return to Jakarta to make sure that
\nthe process has been smooth and in line with the planning. We are
\nsatisfied with Garcia who has closely supervised and accompanied
\nthe team in the design process.<\/p>\n
How would you rate the public response to the daily's new
\nformat?<\/p>\n
More than 90 percent of our readers, contributors and
\nadvertisers gave it the thumbs-up when the daily appeared on June
\n28.<\/p>\n
During the one-year preparation, the management and the
\ndaily's research center held an intensive discussion group with
\nour readership, columnists, experts and advertisers who fully
\nsupported the new format.<\/p>\n
How many copies do you print at present?<\/p>\n
Between 480,000 and 500,000. But over the last few months, the
\nSaturday edition has increased to up to 660,000, far higher than
\nKompas Minggu (Sunday edition).<\/p>\n
The significant increase in copies of the Saturday edition has
\na lot to do with the fact that Saturday is an off-day for most
\nworkers and the edition provides more room for special and
\ninteresting issues.<\/p>\n
Do you have a target for increasing your readership?<\/p>\n
A: Speaking frankly, we are obsessed with printing one million
\ncopies sometime in the future.<\/p>",
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