Anniversary thoughts

Anniversary thoughts

Turning 17 is always an exciting time. It is when one begins
the transition to adulthood, an age when so many possibilities
lie ahead and when crucial decisions are made.

This is precisely the situation which The Jakarta Post finds
itself in today. As we look back with pride and satisfaction at
the progress we have made since we first hit the streets on April
25, 1983, we also use this occasion to prepare ourselves for a
more exciting and challenging future.

The Post owes its existence to its loyal readers and
advertisers, to whom we are highly grateful. A special thanks
should be mentioned to those who have stayed with us through good
and bad times, especially in the last three years. Without them,
we would not have survived to be able to cater to their needs for
information and for an effective means of communication.

The Post takes particular pride in developing a style of
journalism which found widespread acceptance among foreigners and
Indonesians. It is a journalism that strives to be critical
because it is meant for critical readers. The Post consistently
maintained this stance during the height of a regime which
resorted to cunning maneuvers to muzzle the press. Through our
hard work and with your unrelenting support, we played a part,
along with a few other media, in shaping a critical society which
brought down the tyrannical regime nearly two years ago. Not bad
for a 17 year old to look back on.

The dawn of a new era of democracy in Indonesia is where the
Post finds itself today. Still, the conditions that Indonesia
faces are far from what were envisioned by its founding fathers
55 years ago. Injustice prevails and many of our people continue
to subsist in dire poverty. There is a long way to go but the
nation has made a significant start with the political changes in
the last two years. We are only too glad to be part of that
common pursuit of a happy, just and prosperous nation.

Looking ahead, the road for the Post is not without
challenges. The new political landscape in the country, the rapid
globalization process and the growth of the Internet industry
require us to be vigilant and to adapt to change.

With the advent of freedom of expression, and particularly
press freedom, many media in this country have been swayed into
partisan or reckless and irresponsible journalism, either to push
their own political agenda or to bolster their audience. The Post
will not fall into that temptation, and will remain a critical
newspaper, whoever is at the helm of the country. We will use our
freedom responsibly. The only sides we take are those of justice
and truth, and the only national agenda we pursue is the
Indonesian Dream.

Globalization, with all its positive as well as negative
implications, is more of a boon than a bane to the Post, being
the leading English language newspaper in the country. With
English the global language, this newspaper will play a critical
role in helping the nation face the challenges brought about by
the globalization process. The growing number of our Indonesian
readers attests to the increasing use of English among many
Indonesians in their daily activities.

The Internet is also profoundly changing the way information
is presented and delivered. The technology has certainly opened
up new possibilities for newspapers like the Post to reach a
wider global audience. Our website, launched last year, is part
of our preparations to face the advent of the digital era and e-
commerce that will impact the way we conduct our lives. We firmly
believe that we can carry out our mission even more effectively
as the prime method of information delivery changes in the not
too distant future.

As the Post begins its adulthood and given the rapidly
changing environment in which we exist, some changes are
unavoidable. These are developments for the better as we strive
to improve our newspaper, website and whatever new medium results
from information technology.

The method of delivery and the packaging of information may
drastically change, but one thing that will never alter is our
commitment to continue to serve our readers and advertisers. We
will continue to provide the highest standards of journalism as
we strive to keep our readers, wherever they are, informed. In
the 17 years we have served you, we have learned the importance
of integrity and credibility in nurturing your constant support.
Our future depends as much on you as on ourselves.