VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Acting Head of the National Library E. Aminudin Aziz simbolically give a book to Acting Governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin in Bandung on Tuesday June 25th 2024 (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Bandung : The book assistance program for 10 thousand reading rooms in village libraries and community reading parks (TBM) shows evidence of the benefits of the state's presence in society. The literacy emergency that occurs in Indonesia is not due to a low reading culture but rather the absence of reading books that suit the needs of people's reading interest.

"In fact, Commission X of the house of representative formed a Panja to look at Indonesia's literacy condition, the conclusion of which was that Indonesia was facing a literacy emergency," explained Acting Head of the National Library E. Aminudin Aziz at the socialization of the Indonesian Reading Movement program in Bandung, Tuesday (25/6/2024).

When the lack of reading books became a major problem, continued Amin, the National Library tried to synchronize with the program that had been initiated by the Ministry of Education and Culture by providing reading books for children at PAUD and elementary school levels. 

“They must be taught correct reading habits. "Because the love of reading must be developed from an early age," he added.

The advancement of the internet has indeed changed people's reading habits. They prefer short reading texts. When given a long text, I become lazy. Even with the presence of the digital world, opinions arise, why do you still have to print books?

Responding to this, Amin emphasized that the ability to increase literacy is actually built when physically reading books. Physical relaxation will be much calmer than having to tire of looking at the screen while reading a digital book. The touch of hand on paper has a psychological impact.

"Therefore, until now the National Library and the Ministry of Education and Culture have never thought about stopping the book printing program because books play a much more important and significant role than reading on a device," he said.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday (25/06/24), the Acting Governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin, acknowledged what the Acting Director of National Library said. The party also felt a literacy emergency due to the limited availability of books.

Therefore, the West Java Provincial Government fully supports the National Library's Indonesia Reading Movement. From the assistance of 10 thousand village libraries or TBM, West Java province received 713 villages. Bey considers this effort a joint effort to increase community literacy as development capital//VOI

Participants and guest of honor take a picture before the event (Photo : NK-VOI) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Charming China 2024 comes to Jakarta to promote the dynamic potential of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau great bay region with a series of captivating performances, informative presentations and immersive exhibitions. Charming China 2024, which presents Guangdong's culture and tourist destinations, was held in Jakarta.

During the event on Monday (24/024) in Jakarta, event organizer Zhang Youqiong said that the Guangdong provincial government organized the event in Indonesia to introduce Guangdong and establish good relations with Indonesia.

"This time we come with about 50 works, which show the land, ecological environment, humanities, history, and economic construction of Guangdong. It is because Indonesia and China have a very good relationship. There are many people of Chinese descent in Indonesia, and the Jakarta-Bung high-speed railway has a strong connection with us. We would like to promote Guangdong to Indonesia through this opportunity. Guangdong is an open and reformative province. Guangdong is also a major economic province in China." Zhang Youqiong said. 

At the same event, Deputy for Tourism Products and Event Organization of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, VinsensiusJemadu said that this model of promoting tourist destinations should be emulated by Indonesia to promote Indonesian tourist destinations.

"We see that the progress of China, especially Guangdong province, is extraordinary, from the development of tourism, infrastructure, destinations, even culture and investment opportunities. The interesting thing is that this kind of promotion model should be emulated by Indonesia. And we should also promote in China like this because the potential of tourism, creative economy and investment opportunities are not inferior to what China has, especially Guangdong province." Vinsensius said. 

Vinsensius added that this event is an interesting lesson for Indonesia to do the same promotion in order to meet the target of 1 to 1.5 million foreign tourist visits to Indonesia in 2024//VOI

FILE PHOTO: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, U.S., June 5, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo - 

VOInews, New York : United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday demanded that big consumer technology firms take responsibility and "acknowledge the damage your products are inflicting on people and communities."

Taking aim at the companies, which he did not name, and their social media platforms, he said: "You have the power to mitigate harm to people and societies around the world. You have the power to change business models that profit from disinformation and hate".

He warned that "opaque algorithms push people into information bubbles and reinforce prejudices including racism, misogyny and discrimination of all kinds" with common targets being women, refugees, migrants, and minorities.

Guterres was speaking at a news conference to launch a set of U.N. global principles for information integrity, which he called a starting point to combat misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.

"Some stakeholders carry an outsized responsibility," he added. "For them, I have a clear message: We demand action."

He said advertisers and the public relations industry must stop monetizing harmful content, citing the climate crisis.

"Creatives - don't use your talents to greenwash. PR agencies – look for clients who aren't misleading people and destroying our planet," Guterres said.

He urged media outlets to raise and enforce editorial standards and "find advertisers who are part of the solution, not the problem," while saying governments should commit to a free, viable, independent, and plural media landscape.

Guterres also told governments to: "Ensure regulations uphold human rights. Refrain from drastic measures, including blanket internet shutdowns. Respect the right to freedom of opinion and expression."

Last week, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for a warning label to be added to social media apps as a reminder that those platforms have caused harm to young people, especially adolescents//CNA-VOI

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group D - Poland v Austria - Berlin Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany - June 21, 2024 Austria coach Ralf Rangnick celebrates after the match REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo - 

VOInews, Berlin : Ralf Rangnick admitted there was doubt among the players when he was hired as Austria's manager in 2022, but the 65-year-old German has led his team to the cusp of the Euro 2024 knockout rounds.

Austria, who face the Netherlands on Tuesday in their final Group D game, lost to France 1-0 but were impressive in a 3-1 win over Poland, only the second time they have scored three goals in a single European Championship finals game.

Their aggressive, front-foot style has also earned admirers.

"(Marko Arnautovic) and I recently talked about it ourselves," Rangnick said of Austria's all-time leading scorer with 36 goals who was sitting alongside at a news conference on Monday.

"When Marko heard that I'd become boss here, he thought 'ooh, this might be a bit tight now', but I didn't see it like that. I didn't quite understand why it was seen like that.

"He (Arnautovic) played from the start against Poland and possibly tomorrow as well in such an important game."

The Dutch lead the group on four points, ahead of France on goals scored, with Austria third.

Defender Gernot Trauner will not be available on Tuesday due to injury.

"He didn't train today, he's definitely out for tomorrow," Rangnick said. "And even in the next game, he won't be able to play probably. I'm really sorry for him, because has been in top form so far, both in training and in the games."

Rangnick expects a stiff challenge from the Dutch, but he knows what to expect.

"It feels like the Netherlands have played the same way since(legendary Dutch player) Johan Cruyff's days," Rangnick said. "A lot of width and a lot of height on the pitch. Who wins the second ball will be crucial."

Rangnick said he grew up idolising Cruyff, a three-times Ballon d'Or winner and big proponent of the Total Football philosophy.

"I once asked my coach to play in (Cruyff's) number 14 shirt," Rangnick said. "Back then it was unusual because you only used to have the numbers between one and 11. Similar to Franz Beckenbauer, Cruyff was someone who had a huge influence on the development of football, not just in his own country."

Rangnick was interim manager of Manchester United in 2021-22 before leaving to take over an Austrian side stinging from missing out on qualification for that year's World Cup.

An impressive Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, however, in which they finished a point behind Belgium in their group with 19 points from eight games, made them dark horses in Germany and they have so far not disappointed//CNA-VOI