Jakob Oetama - Founder of Kompas Newspapers



Jakob Oetama born in Borobudur, Magelang, 27 September 1931, he is a journalist and co-founder of the newspaper Kompas. Jakob is the son of a retired teacher in Sleman, Yogyakarta. After graduating from high school (seminary) in Yogyakarta, he taught at the junior Mardiyuwana (Cipanas, West Java) and junior Van Lith Jakarta. In 1955, he became editor of the weekly Sower in Jakarta. Jakob then continued his studies at the University Publication Jakarta and Yogyakarta UGM Faculty of Social Politics. Jakob journalism career began when he became editor of the Weekly Sower 1956. On April 1961, invites Jakob Ojong create a new magazine called Nuts and Bolts, the content of starch development of science and technology world. Digest monthly magazine was first published in August 1963.

To live life as a journalist, Jakob socialize with journalists like Adinegoro, Parada Harahap, Thursday Pari, Mochtar Lubis, and Rosihan Anwar. "In matters of journalism, Ojong was my teacher, but Mochtar Lubis and Rosihan Anwar," he said. In the eyes of Jakob, Ojong strong in the humanities and strong in principle the values ​​of progress. Mochtar Lubis a bold figure and uphold the principles, Rosihan Anwar was strong in the humanities matter. Essence Magazine was further confirmed by friends of Yogyakarta Ojong Jakob-like and J Adisubrata Swantoro. Following Indra Gunawan and Kurnia Munaba.

Together PK Ojong, Jacob Oetama in 1963 founded the magazine is oriented intisari.majalah reader'sdigest magazine from America. The next success story continued with the essence of establishing a daily newspaper which was named KOMPAS.hal occurred in 1965, which at that time Indonesia was in sibukan by the threat of PKI rebellion.

Since the early 1960s, and Jakob Auwjong they both take charge of the Association of Indonesian Catholic scholar. Also been both a teacher and had a great interest in history. Like the Star Weekly, Essence involving many experts. Among these economists Prof. Widjojo Nitisastro, author of well-known economic problems Drs. Sanjoto Sastromihardjo, or a young historian Nugroho Notosusanto. At that time, the association has been very widely Auwjong. He was good friends with Gunawan Mohamad, Arief Budiman, Soe Hok Gie, and Machfudi Mangkudilaga. Digest published August 17, 1963. Like the Star Weekly, he is black and white and bare, without the skin of the face. It measures 14 x 17.5 cm, with 128 pages thick. Logo "essence" of his namesake with a raised logo Ojong column in the Star Weekly. First edition was printed 10,000 copies sold.

Help each other, the same office, even journalists were concurrently. After some herald the People Foundation board met Bung Karno, he suggested the name "Compass". Board of trustees - I.J. Kasimo (Chairman), Frans Seda (Vice Chairman), F.C. Palaunsuka (writer I), Jakob Oetama (I II), and Auwjong Peng Koen (treasurer) - agreed. They also agreed on the nature of the independent daily, digging their own news sources, and actively compensate


communist influence, by sticking to the truth, accuracy according to the profession, and moral preaching. Corresponding properties Auwjong always plan everything carefully prepared birth Compass sematang possible.


Of the development of this compass, then stand business group Kompas Gramedia. seaside is the name used to label the member book. To store business is now under the control of the compass seaside Jacob Oetama already spread its wings in the field-many of them manage usaha.termasuk hotel business and was acting in the world of television journalism.

Under the leadership of Jacob Oetama metamorphosis has occurred press the sectarian press of a mass media that reflects the inclusive democracy. Work experience in journalism starts from the editor of the Sower, editor of the monthly Digest Chairman, Chief Editor Daily Compass, the publisher / editor Compass and Compass Group President-Scholastic. Jacob Oetama number of papers, among others, the status and function of the Press in the system of Guided Democracy, which is a thesis in 1962 at UGM, World of Business and Business Ethics (Publishers Compass Books, 2001), and Re-Thinking about keindonesiaan (Compass Book Publishers, 2002).


Jacob also take part in various organizations within and outside the country. Some of them had been Secretary General of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), Member of Parliament Group Press Representative, Founder and Board Member of the Indonesian National News Agency, PWI Advisory Board Member, Board Member of the Federation Internationale des Editeurs De Journaux (FIEJ), Member of International Association of Alumni Center West of East Honolulu, Hawaii.

Jakob Oetama is the recipient of a doctorate honoris causa to-18-UGM is awarded after the same title given to the Head of State UGM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam. Prof Dr Moeljarto Tjokrowinoto promoter in its judgment stated, services and works in the field of journalism Jakob Oetama essentially reflects the service and the extraordinary work in the areas of society and culture. He also has a certain influence to the life of the press in Indonesia. In his judgment, Jacob Oetama UGM rate since 1965 has developed insights and shades of cool works of journalism, which is "typical journalistic culture", which is based on journalistic insight into a particular political philosophy. Journalism culture that has become a reference for the life of journalism in Indonesia.

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