NICE TO MEET YOU!

Professionally, I go by "Taris Hirziman," a name change from "Taris Hirzi Iman" made early in my journalism career when a two-word format was needed for on-screen purposes. However, you may also come across my work under "Taris Iman" in some cases. I was born in 1993 in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Growing up, I had the privilege of experiencing diverse cultures across Indonesia. I graduated from President University Indonesia in 2015 with a degree in International Relations, minoring in Defense & Strategic Studies, and even had the chance to study abroad at Dong-A University in South Korea.

I’m currently based in Washington, D.C., working as an International Multimedia Journalist at Voice of America, mainly the Indonesian Service. In 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in both the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the Global Media Forum in Bonn, Germany. Before moving to the U.S., I helped establish Deutsche Welle’s Asia Pacific Bureau in Jakarta, where I managed operations, produced content, and collaborated with the team in Germany.

In 2021, I was honored to receive the Resilient Journalist award from Media Group Network Indonesia, a recognition that reflects my commitment to reporting in tough environments and situations. I started my career in 2015 through the Journalist Development Program at Metro TV Indonesia and later chosen for the PPIA-VOA Fellowship, which brought me to Washington, D.C. When I’m not reporting, I love exploring the vibrant streets of D.C., taking street photos, and hunting down the best coffee spots. Journalism might be my passion, but a good cup of coffee fuels the journey!