Kompas
| Type | Daily newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owner(s) | Kompas Gramedia Group |
| Founder(s) | P. K. Ojong and Jakob Oetama |
| Founded | June 28, 1965 |
| Political alignment | Neutral |
| Language | Indonesian |
| Ceased publication | 1965, 1978 (temporary ceased) |
| Headquarters |
Kompas Gramedia Building Jl. Palmerah Selatan No. 22 – 28 Jakarta 10270 Indonesia |
| Circulation | average of 500,000[1] |
| OCLC number | 12594358 |
| Official website | www.kompas.com |
Kompas is a widely read newspaper in Indonesia. Published by Kompas-Gramedia Group, it has been in existence since June 28, 1965.
Kompas also manage an online portal KOMPAS.com, which contains updated news and the digital version of the paper.
History
The paper was first suggested by General Ahmad Yani, then commander of the Indonesian Army, to Frans Seda, a government minister and leader of the Catholic Party. Yani encouraged Seda to publish a newspaper that was representative of the Catholic Party faction, in order to counter the communist propaganda spearheaded by the PKI. Seda sounded out the idea to his friends, P.K. Ojong and Jakob Oetama. Ojong subsequently agreed to undertake the project and Oetama became its first editor-in-chief. Later the newspaper's mission was changed to become one that is independent and free from any political factions.
The publication was initially named Bentara Rakyat (People's Herald). At President Sukarno's suggestion, it was renamed to Kompas (compass), for the direction-finding instrument.
Kompas began publication on June 28, 1965 from an office in central Jakarta, with an initial circulation of 4,800 copies. Since 1969, it has been the largest national newspaper in Indonesia.[citation needed] In 2004, its daily circulation reached some 530,000 copies, and its Sunday edition, 610,000 copies. Readership totaled some 2.25 million. [citation needed]
Like many major daily newspapers, Kompas is divided into three major parts: a front section containing national and international news, a business and finance section, and a sports section.
Kompas features the Benny & Mice and Panji Koming comic strip every Sunday.
Circulation
Kompas began its first issue with circulation of 4,800 copies. Since 1969, the newspaper dominates sales nationwide. In 2004, daily circulation reached 530,000 copies, special edition of Sunday to even reach 610,000 copies. Readers of Kompas is expected to reach 2.25 million people in Indonesia. Kompas print edition had an average circulation of 500,000 copies per day, with the average number of readers reached 1,850,000 people per day. [2]
The paper is distributed to all parts of Indonesia. With a circulation an average of 500,000 copies per day and reached 600,000 copies for the Sunday edition, Kompas is not just the largest circulating printed media in Indonesia, but also it is the largest circulating newspaper in southeast Asia.[3] Since the introduction of the iPad, Kompas was the first print media in Asia that made its own digital newspaper version for iPad.[4]
Regional sections
The first regional section included in the paper was for East Java in 2003. This was followed by Central Java, Yogyakarta, West Java, and two other Sumatran regional sections. However, in January 2011, the newspaper closed down regional sections and returned to a uniform edition nationwide. No clear reason was given for the action.[5]
References
- ↑ "Kompas Gramedia". Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ↑ "Kompas Gramedia". Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ↑ "Nama Kompas Pemberian Bung Karno". Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ↑ "Kompas is the first daily newspaper in Asia on the iPad". Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ↑ "Kompas Closes Down Regional Sections". The Indonesia Today.
External links
- (Indonesian) Official site