Wars Within: The Story of Tempo, an Independent Magazine in Soeharto's Indonesia

by Janet Steele

For the 23 years prior to its banning on June 21, 1994, Tempo magazine was Indonesia's most important news weekly, and its chief editor, Goenawan Mohamad, one of Indonesia's leading poets and intellectuals. Yet despite its influence, the history of Tempo magazine is not widely known. All aspects of Tempo 's history, including its roots in the literary and cultural milieu of the 1960s, its economic organization and management, its internal culture and system of deciding what's news, and its strategies for survival within a repressive press system, provide a window into the political and cultural history of Indonesia's New Order. Tempo occupied an ambiguous position in Indonesia's New Order, and Wars The Story of Tempo, an Independent Magazine in Soeharto's Indonesia explores these contradictions and paradoxes. Clearly a product of the New Order, Tempo nevertheless presented independent points of view, often at considerable risk. Soeharto's government was never monolithic, and the story of how Tempo managed to survive 23 years of autocratic rule sheds light on the culture and politics of modern Indonesia. It also sheds light on broader questions concerning the role of the press in developing countries -- and on the kinds of negotiation that must go on for an essentially democratic institution to exist in an authoritarian space. Written in a narrative style, Wars Within utilizes a variety of methods and sources, including participant observation, a content analysis of Tempo 's National section, close reading of Tempo 's coverage of key episodes including the 1984 incident at Tanjung Priok, previously unpublished archival materials, and over one hundred interviews with the magazine's founders, writers, and contributors. Wars Within is an ideal supplemental text in courses on Southeast Asian history, politics, and culture, as well as in courses on international communication and media studies.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jacco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read for people who want to know more about journalism in New Order Indonesia, and Indonesian society at large. Especially the system of reporting (reporters get info, then an editor puts it into one big article) and the ethical guidelines (no envelopes!) are great details.

Early on there's a bit too much scene-setting ("office boys are busily running around" twice on one page), and I get the idea that Steele is sometimes a bit too sympathetic to her subject. I for one find Tempo occasionally unreadable, with pages full of "official A said this, then B said that. They met at restaurant Z for lunch. C was present as well." Etcetera.

[Andreana Sembiring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I meet Janet Steele once by the time I worked at Tempo, not interact directly but I hear that she is very close with many important person inside Tempo Group. This books story about the struggle of Tempo Group in Soeharto's government. I am very appreciate media like Tempo, they have strong characteristic and idealism. Not easily influenced by capitalism or feared by authority.. Was once proud being Tempo Family..

[Gloria Fransisca Katharina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ini menjadi saksi sejarah komprehensif Majalah TEMPO, salah satu media yang paling berpengaruh di Indonesia. Penting dibaca oleh calon jurnalis dan para jurnalis.

[Diah Wulandari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saya ingin membaca buku ini untuk menambah wawasan saya dalam menulis tesis. Buku ini berkaitan dengan sejarah tempo dari zaman orde baru

[Ahmad Kurnia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biografi sebuah majalah.

[Risti Oktavisena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Janet Steele delivered research-based writing in some easy to read contents.

[Ambar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was brought up by Soeharto's regime and I am the one who used to admire Tempo Magazine. This book told about the struggle of Gunawan Mohammad to bring Tempo Magazine's position into new alternative media under military scrutiny.
Still now I am admiring him as individual and a man who fought for journalism in Indonesia.

[Rony Zakaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janet Steele really dig deep into TEMPO, the biggest news magazine in Indonesia. She succeed to tell the readers about its history, its background, conflicts in an interesting way of writing.

[Charles Bonar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Politics, Strategy, manuver, Agenda, Target, all written here

[Haska · Rating 3 out of 5]

cah sampulnya jauh lebih bagus!

[aldo zirsov · Rating 4 out of 5]

hasil hunting buku Minggu 3 Mei 2009

[Thomas Rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done!

[Christel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read, very good insight into the 'New-Order-Years'. Like other reviewers said, sometimes a bit too close to teh subject.

[Mikael · Rating 3 out of 5]

a hagiography janet steele sux gms dick but who doesnt