JP\/7\/JAKOB<\/p>\n
Part 1 of 2<\/p>\n
Powering the Media Dynamics<\/p>\n
Jakob Oetama
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The theme of this Asia Pacific Media Forum is Powering the
\nMedia Dynamics. Media dynamics is a phenomenon that has become
\nincreasingly "globalized, simultaneous and interactive" in this
\n21st century.<\/p>\n
Together we have witnessed and experienced it. The moment the
\nearthquake-generated tsunamis struck Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India,
\nThailand and Malaysia on Dec. 26, 2004, media across the world
\nreported this massive natural disaster simultaneously. Just as
\nexperts and practitioners illustrated, reports on the horrifying
\ndisaster "were globalized, instantaneous and interactive."<\/p>\n
Mass media -- television stations, the Internet, radio
\nstations and the print media -- the world over reported this
\ncalamity around the clock. One could see the vast waves explode
\nas high as 30 meters high at a speed of 400 to 500 kilometers per
\nhour, wreaking havoc and destroying all buildings, trees, roads,
\nbridges, houses and people's lives.<\/p>\n
Apart from being broadcast instantaneously all over the world,
\nmedia reports about the terrifying earthquake and tsunami were
\nalso interactive. The intensity of this interactiveness,
\ncommunication and dialog was so widespread and intensive that it
\ncreated humanitarian solidarity all over the world. All over the
\nglobe, states and their general public as well as their
\ngovernments came together to offer humanitarian relief.<\/p>\n
From the coverage and impact of the global and simultaneous
\ncoverage we witnessed the performance of the media at its best in
\nthe way it generated such solidarity. Differences -- for example
\nin communication, and even political, economic and ideological
\ndisputes -- vanished or were pushed aside. The most noble traits
\ncame to the fore, such as understanding, solidarity and mutual
\nassistance.<\/p>\n
A disaster of this magnitude, which often arouses awareness
\nand understanding about the common destiny of mankind, created
\nsuch momentum. Humans, wise men or citizens of the world wherever
\nthey were, could utilize such signal-laden momentum.<\/p>\n
When we, as observers and practitioners of the mass media from
\nAsia and the Pacific, meet again to discuss mass media problems,
\nit would only be proper that we make the media coverage of the
\ndevastating earthquake and tsunami our reference. A reference
\nabout what the media is capable of doing, and about making it our
\nduty to make use, every time, of the momentum of events and
\nproblems so as to be in the forefront in our work for the well-
\nbeing of mankind.<\/p>\n
Information technology continues to prompt the emergence of
\nnew waves and presents a new medium. At first it was the print
\nmedia, then radio and then film. Television followed much later,
\nand within a relatively short period of time various forms of
\ndigitalized media, like the Internet, have sprung up.<\/p>\n
The electronic media, especially digitalized media, emerged
\nmuch later, but its impact and influence have been phenomenal.
\nThis form of media is instantaneous because technologically its
\ndissemination is easy and its audience huge. This is especially
\ntrue in Indonesia, where reading habits remain poor.<\/p>\n
The print media, daily newspapers and magazines have therefore
\nhad to deal with a serious competitor in luring readers and
\nkeeping their attention and in arousing an interest in reading.
\nIt is understandable that what can be watched is more attractive
\nthan that which can only be read. Watching is more simple than
\nreading in terms of effort and intellectual process. Besides, the
\nemergence of this media -- like it or not -- that can be viewed
\nis associated with an open stage. The habit to view traditional
\nmedia usually has more entertainment value. Therefore, visual
\nmedia tends to present anything related to entertainment.<\/p>\n
Viewing something, which, and in the context of this
\nconference, refers to watching television and various forms of
\nother digitalized media, is, by some observers, said to have the
\ntendency of being "conversational, friendly, emotional and not
\ntoo demanding". Reading, meanwhile, requires concentration, an
\nactive stance and distance. By contrast, when you view something,
\nyou are passive and can be carried away by what you see.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's experiences in various things are not much
\ndifferent from those of other developing nations. When a
\ndemocratic system and the freedom of the press and information
\nprevail, publishing a newspaper or a magazine no longer requires
\na permit. There are no restrictions. Therefore the number of
\npublications can be vast. While previously Indonesia had only 289
\ndailies, we now have 1,600. Although the number of media
\npublications has grown many fold, circulation sizes do not match
\nthe growth but increase very slowly. Print media readership is
\nleft far behind compared with the number of TV viewers and radio
\nlisteners.<\/p>\n
Several articles claim that everything entertaining,
\nparticularly something popular in nature and sometimes considered
\nvulgar, does not have their origins in the all-entertaining
\naspects of the print media known as tabloids. Tabloids, which
\nwere first introduced in the U.S. and Great Britain, have a vast
\ncirculation.<\/p>\n
Tabloids contain the frivolities of life, light news, popular
\npolitical stories and stories about life, especially as seen from
\nthe angles of crime and sex. The contents relate to daily life
\nand strong criticism. However, there is also a positive view
\nstating that through tabloids, the print media can have their
\nmass print run and at the same time create a popular public stage
\nof which many community members will very fond.<\/p>\n
Once again, it is stated, that when the pattern of a tabloid
\nobtained a new stage, namely electronic media and later
\ndigitalized media like television, followed later by the Internet
\nand other interactive media, information and coverage associated
\nwith entertainment became abundant. It is still information, but
\ninformation that has a strong element of entertainment and is
\npackaged in the context of entertainment with a stronger
\nattraction.<\/p>\n
We in Indonesia find ourselves in this phase. Electronic
\nmedia, radio, television, the Internet and others now enjoy new
\nmomentum: freedom and revolution in the era of information
\ntechnology. Earlier, the development of IT and media in advanced
\nindustrialized nations gave rise to and spread globalization.<\/p>\n
And it is true that we in Indonesia and the countries in Asia
\nand the Pacific as well as all other countries in the world find
\nourselves in this globalized environment. Like it or not, resist
\nit or try to critically and constructively respond to it, this is
\nour new environment.<\/p>\n
The writer is Chairman, CEO of Kompas Gramedia.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp7jakob-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }