Irawan Ronodipuro Recalls Jusuf Ronodipuro’s Legacy on National Radio Day

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia celebrates National Radio Day on September 11, remembering radio’s historic role in independence and connections with communities. The history of Indonesian radio is closely linked to Jusuf Ronodipuro, a key figure in Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI)’s early development.

Speaking on VOI Talk on Friday, September 11, 2026, his son Irawan Ronodipuro recalled his father’s generation establishing RRI during dangerous, difficult times. Irawan said September 11 reminds him of his father and comrades who built RRI during Indonesia’s independence struggle.

“So every year this date comes around and I'm reminded about my father and his comrades, his generation, who established this radio station, RRI, from scratch,” he said. He recalled Jusuf and colleagues working at the Japanese military radio station Hoso Kyoku before establishing RRI in 1945.

When the Japanese refused to hand over stations, Jusuf and his comrades established resistance radio at a laboratory. The station was named Voice of Free Indonesia, later becoming Voice of Indonesia, continuing Jusuf’s important broadcasting legacy.

Irawan remembered his father broadcasting Proclamation of Independence in English and Indonesian at Hoso Kyoku, helping spread news of independence beyond Indonesia. “My father and his comrades, they took the risk of hijacking this studio, and then reading the proclamation of independence and broadcasting it throughout. And the world heard,” he recalled.

According to him, the broadcast was received by BBC, ABC Singapore, and others, before Japanese authorities stormed the station. Jusuf and his comrades were detained and tortured, but their actions showed radio influenced Indonesia’s struggle for independence.

Today, Irawan said, radio remains important although audiences receive information through television, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, podcasts, and AI. He highlighted misinformation and disinformation as major challenges because abundant information makes distinguishing truth from falsehood increasingly difficult.

Despite these challenges, Irawan said RRI must remain relevant by bringing people together, educating generations, and preserving unity. He stressed RRI’s responsibility across Indonesia, noting its network serves communities across thousands of islands and ethnic groups.

Irawan also emphasized RRI’s role in reaching neighboring ASEAN countries, representing Indonesia while strengthening connections with regional neighbors. On National Radio Day, Irawan urged younger generations to carry forward independence’s legacy, build Indonesia, and protect unity.