January 30, 2026. VOI (Voice of Indonesia) turns six years old. There is no party. No lavish celebration. Just a simple cake at the office. A short prayer was offered. Then we went back to our desks. As usual.
But for us, that's enough. Because that day is not just a birthday. But a sign that we are still here. Still alive. Still writing. Still trusted.
Six years is not a long time. But it is also not an easy time. Especially for the media. Especially in the midst of a storm of digital disruption that is getting stronger.
It must be admitted, throughout 2025, VOI faces a tough test. Not only from outside challenges - such as industry pressure, technological changes, and advertising crises - but also from within. But we don't give up. We choose to survive. We choose to keep moving forward.
We know we are not alone. Many media have fallen. Print media one by one stopped. Television is doing efficiency. Digital media is also hit. Social media rolls everything. Platforms change algorithms mercilessly. AI emerges as a new challenge - and not necessarily fair to real journalism.
Business is no less heavy. Advertising spending is declining. Layoffs are widespread. The Press Council in its year-end notes recorded that more than 800 journalists lost their jobs in the last two years. It could be bigger because some are not recorded. That's not a small number. And a bitter reality.
But VOI chose to survive. Choosing to fight. Choosing to believe.
We always compare VOI to a tree. For that, the roots must be strengthened, the branches made bushy, and the best fruits produced. This tree must be cared for and cared for together - so that it continues to live, grow, and become a source of pride. A shade for anyone who believes in the future of journalism and VOI.
That journalism is still important. That honest voices are still needed. That readers still want to know - what really happened, not what is trending.
At this sixth age, VOI is more mature. Not perfect. But more ready. Stronger. We improve the foundation of our organization to be more solid. We keep the quality. We keep our business healthy. And our steps are firm, keep moving forward.
Equally important, we remain committed to integrity and commitment to honest, accurate, and trustworthy journalism.
"We are also continuing to expand our reach. Currently VOI is available in six languages: Indonesian, English, Japanese, Mandarin, Arabic, and French. This year, Korean will follow. Because from the beginning we believe, Indonesian Voice must be heard by the world.
"We don't know what will happen in the future. But we are sure, VOI will still exist. Keep growing. Keep being trusted.
Happy 6th birthday, VOI.
Thank you to everyone who believed. For all who read. For all who ran with us.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
