As of Thursday, March 8, Kompas can be enjoyed through a news portal called Kompas.id, which is a journalistic extension of the Kompas daily newspaper. The Kompas.id application can be downloaded from the Play Store on Android and App Store on iOS.
The contents of Kompas.id, whether in web or application form, constitutes a journalistic extension of the Kompas daily newspaper that prioritizes data-based depth, offers varied perspectives and strives to continue to offer solutions. It is believed that data-based journalism can be a method to counter hoaxes or fake news.
The Kompas daily newspaper and Kompas.id constitutes a unified entity. They will complement and enrich each other. What is read in the Kompas daily newspaper can also be enjoyed at Kompas.id in a different format and appearance. Photos, videos, static or dynamic infographics, archives and research data will be the capital wealth of Kompas daily newspaper and Kompas.id, presented in long form.
We are grateful that, although still in its early stages, Kompas.id’s presence has already gained plaudits from various circles. According to the Indonesian National Teachers Association, the content of Kompas.id can be utilized as an alternative learning tool in classrooms.
The visual storytelling content with the spirit of getting to know more about the nation, which is Jakob Oetama’s main journalistic idea, is presented in a more interesting way at Kompas.id. Getting-to-know-the-nation journalism in the form of multimedia, such as jelajah terumbu karang (exploring the coral reefs), tradisi imlek (Chinese new year traditions) and beragam wajah gamelan di nusantara (the many faces of gamelan in the nation), are examples of journalistic works that prioritize research and data that are packaged in an interactive manner, which utilizes the advantages of digital technology. The research, managed by Kompas daily itself, will also further sharpen the way we look at Indonesia.
As written by one of Kompas’ founders, Frans Seda, in Kompas, June 28, 1990, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Kompas daily, in an article titled “sepanjang jalan kenangan” (throughout memory lane), “amanat hati nurani rakyat” (the people’s conscience mandate) continues to be Kompas’ identity. Amanat hati nurani rakyat is not a slogan that is randomly put together. It was the result of deep contemplation that arose from empathy about the people’s condition. Kompas’ identity at birth 52 years ago must still remain its style of personality throughout the history of the people and the nation.
It is such identity and spirit that forms the soul of Kompas daily’s and Kompas.id’s journalism. In its journalistic application, Kompas and Kompas.id will still be a “polite watchdog” that puts forward the journalistic principles of Kompas general manager Jakob Oetama, who stated that the media style of Kompas and Kompas.id adopts classical principles Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo (firm and tough in principle, but tender and flexible in manner).
In the midst of the spread of hoaxes or fake news, Kompas and Kompas.id offer in-depth journalism. The design of a newspaper may change, and the variety of platforms may increase: print and digital, but the identity, vision and humanitarian commitment of Kompas will remain eternal. Technology makes everything more relevant, but identity and history will continue to be the guide for Kompas in its media activities.
Text: Budiman Tanuredjo (Head Editor of Kompas)
Photo: Wawan H Prabowo and Heru Sri Kumoro (Photo Reporter of Kompas).