Cikapundung, Print Media Distribution Source in Bandung City
Newspapers or newspapers and magazines were once the most awaited source of information and became people's idols. The Cikapundung area in Bandung City has witnessed the success of newspapers for the past few decades.
On Press Day, February 9, 2022, Bandung City Public Relations visited the East Cikapundung area, to be precise Jalan Dr. Ir. Sukarno. Since the 1970s, along this road, until Jalan Banceuy became one of the distribution centers of newspapers in the city of Bandung.
In this place, various newspapers in the form of newspapers, magazines, tabloids, are still quite complete for sale. At least for the scale of one city of Bandung, this area is the one that sells newspapers with the most variety of media. So, if you're looking for a newspaper that you can't find at a retail newspaper dealer, you might find it here.
Since 04.00 WIB, the bustle has begun to be felt in this area. Newspaper delivery men appeared to be arriving. By using a motorcycle that has been fitted with a special bag in the back seat, these newspaper deliverymen are ready to pick up newspapers from agents for sale as early as possible.
At least, in the midst of the onslaught of online media and technology, this portrait is still found today. Although it is said that it is not as crowded as it used to be, there is still a lot of activity since four o'clock in the morning in this place.
Mamay, a coffee and fried food seller in the area, recalls the commotion. For almost 30 years, this woman who lives on Jalan Pangarang sells in Cikapundung.
"It's really quiet at this point. Not up to 10 times as much (it used to be very crowded)," Mamay said while serving buyers at her stall.
Sipenmaru or the New Student Admission Selection, which is now known as SNMPTN or SBMPTN, is an unforgettable moment for Mamay. At that time, students who applied to state universities had been queuing since 11 pm.
"Now, I don't know where it was announced," said the woman who until now admits that she doesn't use the device.
The memory that Mamay admits is extinct is the presence of the afternoon edition of the newspaper. Twenty years ago, the atmosphere in Cikapundung was still lively until the afternoon. Newsagents will usually receive afternoon newspapers from several print media that issued them.
Mamay admits that activities in this area are very profitable for the business he runs. Newspaper deliverymen, agent owners, and newspaper buyers will usually stop by and have a snack at Mamay's stall.
"If it's seven o'clock in the morning it's already dispersed, it's been tidied up again," he said.
Compete Online
The classic story in Cikapundung seems to have to be willing to be eroded by the onslaught of technology. Since the era of the convergence of print to online media in the decade of 2010, the decline in turnover has begun to be felt by newsagents in Cikapundung.
Eneng for example. This woman who lives in Sukajadi has been a newsagent since the late 90s. He admits that his turnover has decreased 10 times compared to 20 years ago.
He was accompanied by a daughter while guarding a newsagent. He is busy serving newspaper orders from the deliverymen who buy newspapers from his stall.
"In the past it could be up to 15 million per day (results from sales). Now it's only around 1.5 million," he said.
In the early 2000s, Eneng could sell up to 1,500 copies of newspapers in one day. That number has shrunk to around 180 copies by 2022.
"But no matter what, the presence of technology cannot be denied. Maybe now people's habits have shifted," said Eneng.
There are still buyers
Although the number of sales has dwindled considerably, newsagents and deliverymen say that newspapers still have a buyer segment. Koko as the owner of the newsagent acknowledged this.
When asked about the availability of certain media newspapers, he explained that there were newspapers that were indeed sold to the general buyer segment. But there are also newspapers that are only sold to those who subscribe.
"Usually, offices and some houses in certain areas are still ordered. Not much else, but still enough," explained Koko.
Besides Koko, there is Agus Mulyana. The man who works as a newspaper deliveryman admitted that the newspapers he delivered had not completely lost buyers.
"Every day I deliver newspapers. At the time of the Fajr call to prayer, I'm already here. Because it's morning, right," said the man who has been in this profession since 1993.
When carrying and delivering newspapers, Agus brought around 120 copies of newspapers from four mainstream national and local media. According to Agus, the four of them still have many buyers.
"It can't be compared to the same as before. But if the size is now people are moving to online, they can bring this many (copy of newspapers) and sell, that's a pretty good sale," explained Agus.
Although most of the access to news has shifted to the virtual world, it cannot be denied that print media has been number one in the hearts of readers.
In the midst of easy access to information, there is nothing wrong with reminiscing about the past by visiting and buying newspapers here.
For those of you who are looking for newspapers in Cikapundung, you should come between 05.00 to 07.00 WIB. After buying a newspaper, you can read it while enjoying the morning atmosphere in the city of Bandung, precisely at Cikapundung Riverspot. (ray)**
Kepala Diskominfo Kota Bandung
Yayan A. Brilyana
