30 years of 'Kompas'

It was typically in the style of Kompas to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its existence by inviting the advertising community and its distribution agents to its celebration yesterday. Some of the invited guests came with their families to a big party at a five-star hotel. Interestingly, though, no officials were present.

Perhaps, this was done to demonstrate the newspaper's commitment to "the people", as indicated in the motto printed underneath its logo on the front page: Amanat Hatinurani Rakyat, meaning Message of the People's Conscience.

Founded in 1965, Kompas is an interesting phenomenon. Not many newspapers in this country have managed to survive 30 years of living dangerously. Survive Kompas did, and not only that. It has grown to take a leading position as the biggest newspaper in this country. As a study by Dr. Daniel Dhakidae has revealed, 90 percent of Indonesia's newspapers and magazines have lived short lives -- less than 10 years, in the current New Order era, which has lasted from 1966 to the present. This, according to Dr. Dhakidae, is a worse record than that prevailing during the colonial era from around 1800 to 1942.

Why, then, did Kompas manage to survive and even flourish? It is certainly a big achievement for a newspaper to move from a small dusty office in the downtown Kota area into a big modern building at its present location. It was also a hard and tedious road to travel for a small newspaper, whose publisher and founder, the late P.K. Ojong (1920-1980), had to be ready 24 hours a day to take incoming advertisement orders. At present, Kompas has evolved into a part of an economic powerhouse, whose enterprises include a publishing house, hotels, supermarkets, banks and several other lines of business.

Perhaps the key to the newspapers' success must be sought in the fact that in implementing its mission "to remind the established and to console the poor and the underprivileged", as was once stated by the current editor-in-chief Jakob Oetama, Kompas does things in a low-key, polished and courtly Javanese style. No straightforward shoot-from-the-hip or black-and white journalism is to be found on Kompas' pages.

Some people may have their objections to this kind of refined journalism. However, as the former head of the Armed Forces Information Center, Maj.Gen. Syarwan Hamid, once said, the authorities are inclined to look more favorably on this style of journalism than, for example, the kind of "crusading journalism" which flourished in this country during the 1950s.

Considering the work that has been done over the decades by Kompas, though, there can be no doubt that the newspaper must be regarded as one of the pillars of our democracy. Modest as its contribution may be, Kompas has done its share in helping to build the foundations of this country's democratic society. Through its columns, the newspaper has not only disseminated factual information, but also provided a venue for the country's intellectuals to express their views and invited others to engage in dialogs which may eventually lead into public debates.

However, as the old saying goes: "Tall trees catch much wind". As the country's largest newspaper -- the daily has a circulation of about 500,000 at present -- Kompas has had its share of difficult days. Under a barrage of fire coming from different directions -- including competitors and enemies -- it has had to fight for its very existence.

Critics say that this country's biggest newspaper, Kompas should take a stronger and more tangible leading role in the nation's efforts to build a democratic society. Some people claim that with its peculiar style of journalism Kompas is showing no clear stance and always bends with the wind.

Some of this criticism is debatable. But the fact still stands that, whatever its style may be, Kompas is most certainly one of our valued national assets. The fact that it has been capable of maintaining such a huge and faithful readership over the decades is proof enough that this style of journalism is acceptable -- at least for the time being.