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.