New English-language daily hits newsstands

Nov 12, 2008, 4:40 GMT

   Jakarta - A new English-language daily, The Jakarta Globe, was launched in Indonesia Wednesday, bringing readers a second choice after the English news market was dominated by a single publication for more than two decades.

   After months of preparation, recruiting of both local and international professionals from the media and business sectors, The Jakarta Globe's publisher expressed confidence that there is still room in the country for a comprehensive daily newspaper in English.

   Owned by billionaire tycoon James Riyadi, one of Indonesia's richest men, The Jakarta Globe will face strong competition from The Jakarta Post, a daily newspaper in English that dominated newsstands for the past 25 years.

   The new daily emphasizes business, sports and lifestyle as well as local and international news.

   'We also strive to have our news and analyses based on the best principles of journalism, including the obligation to remain independent, nonpartisan, honest and fair,' said publisher Sigit Pramono in a statement.

   'The Jakarta Globe will focus on the mind-sets that should govern and influence our actions. We will promote philosophies and principles that underpin our society, our culture and our habits. We must, as a nation, develop the right concepts for working and living in harmony,' the paper said in its first editorial.

   The Jakarta Globe is priced at 8,500 rupiah (75 cents), compared with The Jakarta Post at 5,500 rupiah.