30 years of 'Kompas'

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.