Tirto Adhi Soerjo, Indonesian journalist known for his sharp criticism of the Dutch colonial government
Tirto Adhi Soerjo Raden Mas Tirto Adhi Soerjo was an Indonesian journalist known for his sharp criticism of the Dutch colonial government. Born to a noble Javanese family in Blora, Central Java, Tirto 1st studied to become a doctor but later focused on journalism. A freelancer since 1894, in 1902 he was made an editor of the Batavia- (now Jakarta-) based Pembrita Betawi. Tirto established his 1st newspaper in 1903 and, four years later, created Medan Prijaji as a medium for educated native Indonesians. This proved his longest-lived publication, lasting over five years before Tirto was exiled in 1912 to Bacan for his staunch anti-colonial criticism. Medan Prijaji is recognised as the 1st truly "Indonesian" newspaper, and Tirto has been called the father of Indonesian journalism. He was made a National Hero of Indonesia in 2006. The main character in Pramoedya Ananta Toer's Buru Quartet is based on him. Tirto was born to a priyayi family in Blora, Central Java, in 1880....