TRANSCRIPT:
When Russia launched its war in Ukraine, it didn’t just send troops. It sent propaganda. And in countries like mine — Indonesia — that campaign took a different form.
My name is Virginia Gunawan. I’m a journalist with VOA Indonesia. In developing countries, Russian and Chinese disinformation often comes disguised as cultural content, faith-based narratives and anti-Western messaging. The goal is subtle but strategic: to sway public opinion, undermine trust in democratic values and position these regimes as friends of the Global South.
At VOA, we counter this with one powerful tool: the truth. In Indonesia and around the world, our audiences are turning to us for clarity, context and credibility.
We report independently and transparently not only on global affairs but on U.S. politics and policies as well. We ask tough questions of American leaders just as we do with any other government. We produce daily content in Bahasa Indonesia and local dialects with facts, context and critical analysis, with 65 million Indonesians tuning in every week. Authoritarian regimes fear facts for a reason. Tell your members of Congress to save VOA.
Published
Gunawan is a multimedia journalist for VOA's Indonesian Service, where she covers U.S. and global politics for millions of viewers in Indonesia. Her work extends from reporting on the intricacies of America’s stories to U.S. democracy, breaking news, and sociocultural issues. She is also at the forefront of reporting on disinformation and the impact of social media in developing countries.