History of Communication: Student Press Contribution
Post 1998 students are confused, even until now they have not finished. Begiru was expressed by Wisnu Praseryo Utomo, a lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM, in the discussion of the Amir Effendi Siregar Forum (5/9) conducted by the Center for Study and Documentation of Alternative Media (PSDMA) NADIM Communication Sciences, Islamic University of Indonesia.
Before 1998 the student press made a lot of contributions as an alternative media that was taken into account in the New Order era in voicing the public interest.
Where was the importance of the student press at that time? Amir Effendi Siregar, agrees with Rosihan Anwar’s words. Amir, when he was young, wrote in his book “Student Press: Broken Tumbuh Hilang Changing”, stated that the student press contributed courage.
At that time, the general press or the mainstream press were afraid to report the abuse of power by Suharto and his regime. Many newspapers and other media have been banned. At that time, Rosihan Anwar criticized Kompas for reporting on its crab style. He did not dare to report power straightforwardly, his writing style was rotating because he tended to be safe.
At such times the student press seemed fearless. They, with their loud language, seemed to have no fear. Even though it will be banned though. They dare to violate the journalistic standard, “not because they do not understand journalistic principles. But because they do not have a tendency to have political or economic interests,” said Wisnu. This makes the persma unafraid of any consequence other than voicing the truth and public interest.
