Institut Teknologi Bandung

However, on other hand, this digital era can threaten the existence of printed media itself if the publisher and the journalist are unable to adapt in time. Not a few of them were forced to go bankrupt. Is this the final sign of the end of the road of printed media?

"One thing for sure, there is no word for 'dead' in journalism. The publisher and the journalist are fighting against all odds. There is nothing impossible as long as innovations and creativities are blooming," said the Deputy Director of News Media Indonesia, Gaudensius Suhardi, on Studium Generale ITB on Wednesday (6/4/2022). Gaudensius talked about the condition of printed media today, from the challenges that they are facing to the struggles that they have gone through.

As explained by Suhardi, the functions of the press are regulated by Article 3 Law No. 40/1999 On press that said "National press function is as an information, education, entertainment, and social control media. In addition to those, the national press can also function as an economic institution. "Press is not an ordinary business. Press can't be separated from economy and politics, and is very dependent on the technology that is changing every day," he said.

He also explained that journalism means the transition from 5W + 1H, to finding the meaning of the news, and presenting the meaning of the news. Journalistic works are also bound to the journalism code of ethics and the journalist code of conduct. Journalists also need to abide by moral, ethical, and human obligations.

One major challenge that is now faced by the press is the search for meaning. "Presenting and Ffinding tthe correct meaning of each news and presenting of each news has been increasingly difficult for the mass media and journalists," said Suhardi. A journalist is required to think big while also having attention to detail.

"To put it simply, the tasks of a journalist are finding facts, then selecting and interpreting those facts, reporting it, and then presenting it to the mass," said Gaudensius. In detail, journalistic works include finding, acquiring, owning, keeping, processing, and presenting information in the forms of news articles, sound, images, and data or graphics using either printed or electronic media. Generally, journalism is a process of turning facts into information.

From time to time, the press business is always facing different challenges and tough competitions. From inter-media struggle, business and editor branches rivalry, to compete in getting as many readers and advertisements as they can. "One thing that is very important to remember is that 'press is a burning fence'. This fence limits the interests of the editor and the business. This is very important because maintaining this boundary is crucial in building trust," he emphasized.

The competition and challenges that are faced by the printed media industry in this digital era are increasingly difficult. As an example, the Nielsen research institute reported that the portion of the advertisement in printed media is only 5.5%, much lower than in online media or television. This is proof that the advancement of technology has given birth to new kinds of media, that is online media and social media. "If printed media failed to adapt, then its end will be reserved," concluded Gaudensius.

In facing this era full of challenges and competition, the Indonesian media has already tried some strategies. Some of them started expanding their reach by entering the online media and e-paper markets. Another strategy is adding new business models that are still viable for years to come such as public relations media, publishing, and journalistic school. "There is nothing impossible if we are consistent in adapting," concluded Gaudensius.

Reporter : Yoel Enrico Meiliano (Food Engineering, 2020)
Translator: Favian Aldilla Rachmadi (Civil Engineering, 2019)