"Kompas" Wins Eight Awards at the 2024 SPS Awards

Quality content allows the press to play a role in realizing a healthy democracy.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Deputy Chief Editor of the Daily Kompas Adi Prinantyo (right) receives the gold medal trophy for the best national newspaper category of the Press Company Union (SPS) which was handed over by SPS Secretary General Asmono Wikan at the 2024 SPS Awards at the Ciputra Hotel, Jakarta , Wednesday (30/4/2024). The daily Kompas won 4 gold medals and 4 silver medals in several award categories at the 2024 SPS Awards.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The daily Kompas received eight awards, in the form of four gold winners and four silver winners, at the Corporate Union Press or SPS Awards 2024 event which was held in Jakarta, Tuesday (30/4/2024). This year's 15th SPS Awards carries the theme "Healthy Press, Strong Democracy".

The 2024 SPS Awards for the daily Kompas was received by Deputy Chief Editor of the Daily Kompas Adi Prinantyo. Kompas received an award in the Indonesia Young Readers Awards (IYRA) category which provides a special column for young people in the website category (gold winner). Apart from that, Kompas won an award in the Indonesia Digital Media Awards (IDMA) category as the best national media (silver winner).

In the Indonesia Print Media Awards (IPMA) category for Indonesian press publishing, Kompas won six awards. Other achievements achieved by Kompas were in the subcategories of infographics (two silver winners), photojournalism (silver winner), and editorial (gold winner). Another IPMA award for Kompas was in the investigative report subcategory (gold winner). Apart from that, Kompas was also the best national newspaper (gold winner).

Adi said, for Kompas, the SPS Awards are a spur to continue its commitment to quality journalism. Kompas was born because of journalism and will faithfully pursue this world even though it is currently facing many challenges.

"We believe and are convinced that quality journalism can still exist and have an impact on any platform, be it print or digital," said Adi.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu, appreciates the efforts of SPS as one of the Press Council's constituents in upholding the Press Law Number 40 of 1999, which states that the press must be independent and free. "This is one way to fulfill citizens' constitutional rights," said Ninik.

Ninik stated that the essence of the Press Law is not only to protect the press and press companies, but also to protect the fulfillment of citizens' constitutional rights guaranteed by the constitution. "Therefore, collaborative work for media sustainability is not only done by the press. It requires the role of the government, law enforcement, and civil society, both individuals and corporations or NGOs. Because what the press does as the fourth pillar of democracy is not only the responsibility of the press." Ninik explained.

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KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The atmosphere at the 2024 Press Company Association (SPS) Awards at the Ciputra Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (30/4/2024). The daily Kompas won 4 gold medals and 4 silver medals in several award categories at the 2024 SPS Awards.

Quality content

Professional media companies, according to Ninik, should be fought for. There are now rules regarding professional media company standards. It is not just about having a legal status as a media company, but also having important requirements that the content must be of good quality.

"It is non-negotiable, the quality of press content must be upheld as it is for the sake of dignity. If we lower the quality of content, it means lowering the quality of the press," said Ninik.

Chairman of SPS, Januar P Ruswita, mentioned that SPS Awards is a form of appreciation for excellent journalistic works from colleagues in the media, campus press, as well as corporations/institutions throughout Indonesia. In the past 10-20 years, digital technology has rapidly developed, infiltrating and influencing almost all sectors of industry. The media industry, including print, television, and radio, has not been exempt from its impact.

The SPS Awards are a driving force to continue our commitment to quality journalism.

With the spirit of upholding the dignity of the national press as part of the agent of change for a better life and an enlightened nation, the media industry, in this case print media, remains committed to publishing journalistic products that prioritize quality and responsible journalism.

"The print media continues to create and innovate by displaying dynamic page layouts, combining text, photos, animations, data, and colors in attractive and captivating infographics designs for readers," said Januar.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Deputy Chief Editor of the Daily Kompas Adi Prinantyo with the eight award trophies won by the Daily Kompas at the 2024 Press Companies Union (SPS) Awards at the Ciputra Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (30/4/ 2024). The daily Kompas won 4 gold medals and 4 silver medals in several award categories at the 2024 SPS Awards.

Januar added that SPS is the oldest organization of press companies that was established 78 years ago, where most of its members are print media companies. This year's SPS Awards presents several competition categories, namely the Indonesia Print Media Awards (IPMA), Indonesia Inhouse Magazine Awards (InMA), Indonesia Young Readers Awards (IYRA), Indonesia Students Media Awards (ISMA), and Indonesia Digital Media Awards (IDMA).

"In line with the development of digital technology, besides conducting the IPMA, InMA, IYRA, and ISMA competitions, SPS also appreciates media outlets that have transformed to digital platforms, through the IDMA, Indonesia Digital Media Awards," said Januar.

The number of entries for the SPS Awards has increased compared to previous years. The SPS Awards 2024 was attended by 719 entries, consisting of 299 entries in the IPMA category, 205 entries in the InMA category, 12 entries in the IYRA category, 85 entries in the ISMA category, and 118 entries in the IDMA category.

This increase, added Januar, indicates that print media can survive and continue to exist, then campus media is still popular and news portals are developing well. "God willing, the media industry can continue to exist and be able to transform to a digital platform by also developing its news portal media," said Januar.

Secretary General of SPS Pusat, Asmono Wikan, stated that SPS Awards is a prestigious and comprehensive competition for the media industry, as well as a complete achievement for corporations, institutions, and local governments in the field of internal publication. SPS Awards is attended by leaders of press companies, government and corporate public relations leaders, as well as student press managers throughout Indonesia.

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"The SPS Awards 2024 event affirms the role of the press in building democracy, which has been implemented in various important functions. The press is not only an institution for disseminating information to the public, but also represents the functions of control, criticism, and provides space for public participation. The press is an important element supporting democracy. Therefore, the existence of a healthy press, both in terms of business and products, is a necessity to realize a strong democracy," emphasized Januar.