VOA launches Indonesian bureau

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Washington-based broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) launched a Jakarta bureau on Thursday as part of its effort to devote more resources to Indonesia.

VOA director David Jackson said that being the third largest democracy and the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world, Indonesia was one of the most important countries for the United States and VOA.

"We, at the Voice of America, are very pleased to provide some new and dynamic programs. Our presence here gives the opportunity to serve such a huge and important country like Indonesia," Jackson said during the launch ceremony at the Hotel Arya Duta, Central Jakarta.

Through its radio station, television channel and website, VOA delivers news in 44 languages, including Indonesian.

According to Jackson, VOA's Indonesian section had demonstrated rapid progress over the past years, with about nine hours of radio programs in Indonesian every day and a total of 67 hours per week.

In Indonesia, VOA has over 200 affiliated radio stations across the country and 17 local and national TV stations airing VOA programs countrywide.

Jackson said VOA intended to now offer more programs, such as VOA DC to attract younger viewers, Headline News VOA up to 28 times daily, Jurnal VOA (VOA Journal), Dunia Kita (Our World), Salam VOA (Greetings from VOA) and Keliling Amerika (Around America).

Comprising nine staff members, the Jakarta bureau is the third in Asia after Bangkok and Hongkong.

Jackson said half of the VOA affiliates in Indonesia would meet to discuss the ability to deliver news from around the world to their listeners.

"We will also discuss how to communicate via satellite so that all the programs will be broadcast throughout the country simultaneously," he said.