The Late Sutopo Purwo Nugroho's Messages on Disaster Information

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Earthquake and Tsunami Early Warning Information, Daryono, outlined the late Sutopo Purwo Nugroho’s four messages in light of disaster information for the public.

“Pak Topo (Sutopo) taught me that news on disaster must be compact, complete, and be presented in an interesting package,” said Daryono, Sunday, July 7.

Sutopo, who was the Head of Data Information and Public Relations Center for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), passed away on Sunday, July 7, in Guangzhou, China, at around 02:00 local times while being treated for lung cancer.

According to Daryono, Sutopo’s messages inspired him to better present info about earthquakes and tsunami that previously presented in the form of numbers, time, magnitude, and epicenter coordinates. Hence now, the public is exposed to complete info such as the disaster's cause, impacts, and suggestions as well.

Secondly, Daryono added, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho deemed every piece of info is useful, yet a report that is provided faster and more complete will be more valuable.

Albeit they were not reporters, their agencies required them to supply information. “So we have to be able to type news on disaster quickly. We don’t need to wait to turn on a computer, and rather typing it on handphone as soon as possible,” he noted.

Sutopo also underlined that news on disaster must be disseminated regardless of time. Thus Daryono kept his cellular phone on standby 24 hours and maintained himself ready to draft a press release to be spread by BMKG public relations.

The last will of Sutopo, he went on, is regarding science communication for disaster, by means the importance to distribute understandable information to the public without creating misreading, which is leading to public fear and anxiety.

“Indeed, Pak Topo always inspire and exude positive aura for those who love to work hard, have perseverance and selflessness for humanity,” Daryono remarked.

Following his great work, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho received many awards, including Communicator of the Year 2018, The First Responders by The Straits Times, Tokoh Komunikasi Kemanusiaan from Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo), Tokoh Teladan Anti-Hoaks Indonesia, IAGI Awards, Outstanding Spokesperson of the Year 2018, Anugerah Perhumas 2018, Human Initiative Award 2018.

ANWAR SISWADI

Read also: President Jokowi Conveys Condolences to Family of Late Sutopo