Researchers, Journalists Must Get Closer

Kompas/Iwan Setiyawan

A human geneticist from the Eijkman Biologi Molekular Institute and Chair of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences’ Medical Commission, Prof. Dr. Herawati Supolo Sudoyo, PhD, speaks at a ceremony to receive the Kompas Dedicated Scholars award in Jakarta, Friday (28/6/2019). The award, a tradition initiated by Kompas Chief Executive Jakob Oetama in 2008, was bestowed as part of the daily paper’s 54th anniversary.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The distance between researchers and journalists must be cut short, so that research results can be accessed and understood by the public. Therefore, researchers should be keen to get off the ivory tower to share their knowledge with the public as a contribution to the nation.

Prof. Dr. Herawati Supolo Sudoyo, PhD, a human genetics expert at the Eijkman Molecular Biology Institute and chairperson of the Medical Sciences Commission of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, stressed this point when she received the Dedicated Scholars 2019 award in Jakarta on Friday (28/6/2019). This award is part of Kompas’ 54th anniversary celebration.

The award was also given to Airlangga University political science lecturer Prof. Ramlan Surakti, MA, PhD, who was represented by her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Surbakti.

"Many researchers are still afraid to talk to reporters out of fear there would be miscommunication, which could lead to the results of their research being incorrectly quoted," said Herawati.

This line of thinking, she said, had been going on for generations in the world of research. In the past, this phenomenon occurred because the distance between the media and research institutions was relatively long. The researcher was busy with research and writing the results in complex scientific terms that only a few people understood. The purpose of a research report was only to have it published in a journal.

Now, said Herawati, researchers cannot isolate themselves from the world of media. The development of communication, especially the social media, is increasingly exposing people to information that is not all accurate, let alone accountable.

"It is precisely at a time like now that researchers must show their work. The community has the right to know about the research for the advancement of the country. Journalists are the bridge for achieving this, because journalists can paraphrase the work of the researchers into popular language that can be understood by the audience," she said.

Herawati is known for her research on Indonesian human genetics. She argues this topic will be relevant forever, because it reveals a wealth of genetic variation in the genetic distribution of the archipelago’s inhabitants.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The daughter of Prof. Ramlan Surbakti, MA, PhD, Elizabeth, speaks on behalf of her father at a ceremony where Ramlan received the Kompas Dedicated Scholars award in Jakarta, Friday (28/6/2019). The award, a tradition initiated by Kompas Chief Executive Jakob Oetama in 2008, was bestowed as part of the daily paper’s 54th anniversary.

Thus, the terms "native" or "non-native" citizens do not relate to the real conditions of our society. Her enthusiasm to do research on the genetics of the Indonesian population, she said, was a duty to the nation. "In this world, there are various genetic problems, such as diseases that necessitate medication. Also, the wealth of the nation that consists of hundreds of people in the archipelago, of various ethnic groups and with various types of languages, clearly cannot be ignored, because it is important to recognize the national identity," she said.

Exchange of ideasKompas Deputy CEO Rikard Bagun explained that Kompas was a newspaper as well as a place to exchange ideas. Ideas could be produced not only by journalists, but also by scholars. Amid the flood of information, especially in the era of disruption that makes all types of information go round and round, a calm and directive voice is needed.

"Scholars are those who voice clarity and direction. The community owes scholars who share knowledge," he said. The Dedicated Scholars Award is a way for Kompas to show gratitude.

Ramlan, through a video recording, said the award not only made researchers feel valued but would also spur their enthusiasm to continue to produce quality research.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Eijkman Biologi Molekular Institute human geneticist and Indonesian Academy of Sciences Medical Commission Chairwoman Prof. Dr. Herawati Supolo Sudoyo, PhD. (center); the daughter of Prof. Ramlan Surbakti, MA, PhD, Elizabeth (right), representing her father; and Kompas Gramedia Group Commissioner Irwan Oetama (left) pose for a photograph at a ceremony for the presentation of awards for dedicated scholars in Jakarta Friday (28/6/2019). The award, a tradition initiated by Kompas Chief Executive Jakob Oetama in 2008, was bestowed as part of the daily paper’s 54th anniversary.

In addition to bestowing the awards on the two scholars, Kompas also expressed appreciation for three Kompas readers who had been loyal to the paper for 54 years. They are J Harjono Wijaya, Trisno Karmadji and Yos Salam Surjadi. Awards were also given to Kompas readers of the millennial generation. (DNE)