In his acceptance speech for the honorary doctorate of UGM on April 17, 2003, the founder of Kompas, Jakob Oetama, conveyed his thoughts entitled “Between Fact Journalism and Meaningful Journalism”. He did not confirm his choice to Meaningful Journalism. However, many people interpret that Jakob Oetama prefers meaningful journalism.
“Jakob’s thoughts are the result of the accumulation of decades of appreciation as a journalist and general leader of Kompas. It is an abstraction of learning that he has done continuously for a dozen years. He is also the pinnacle of awareness of his existence as a journalist and media entrepreneur. So that was the pinnacle of his work in journalism. We have to appreciate it with great joy,” said an observer and lecturer of Communication Science UGM, Dr. Phil. Ana Nadhya Abrar, M.E.S. on Thursday (10/9).
Abrar assessed that if we look further, the genealogical thinking of Jakob Oetama comes from the concept of the existence of the press. The existence of the media is determined by the content and the number of readers. The number of readers, by Jakob Oetama in his speech at the acceptance of the honorary doctorate, is the ability to manage a business. As for the subject, he called the content.
Regarding the content, Jakob talked “between journalism of facts and meanings?” Why did he say between? Because the journalism he introduced departs from investigative journalism. However, it is modified as a matter of fact. Namely reporting not only facts, but also the background, history, processes, and causal and interactive relationships,” Abrar added.
According to Abrar, if it is pulled back to the present, Jakob Oetama’s idea is challenging to implement. Not many media are willing to bother and sincerely carry out investigations. Apart from that, Jakob Oetama’s idea requires a noble Politics of Values. Meanwhile, the press now likes to be pragmatic, sometimes even opportunistic. Moreover, many online media are pragmatic.
“In the world of journalism, Jakob’s idea is classified as a type of journalism related to how to gather facts. I like the way Jakob introduced it. However, the consequences are heavy because you have to work hard and be close to the community,” he explained.
The Rector delivered his condolences
UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., on behalf of himself and the extended family of UGM would like to express his deepest condolences for the death of Jakob Oetama. Panut said that the deceased was an alumnus of UGM known as a senior journalist and contributed a lot to the progress of the Indonesian press, democracy, and pluralism. The Rector also agreed with Jakob’s view regarding Meaningful Journalism.
“This is what the Indonesian press should continue at this time. Journalism that can give meaning. Not just the speed, depth, accuracy, but also the meaning that surrounds them. It is in line with UGM’s mandate to work for humanity and national development,” said Panut.
Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/20035-menafsirkan-jurnalisme-fakta-dan-makna-jakob-oetama
