The guardian of local culture: the dynamic of Indonesian local television to survive against global media onslaught
| Date | 18 December 2024 |
| Pages | 117-133 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-08-2024-0123 |
| Published date | 18 December 2024 |
| Author | Cosmas Gatot Haryono,Burhan Bungin,Monika Teguh |
The guardian of local culture: the
dynamic of Indonesian local
television to survive against global
media onslaught
Cosmas Gatot Haryono,Burhan Bungin and Monika Teguh
Department of Communication Science, Universitas Ciputra, Surabaya, Indonesia
Abstract
Purpose –The idea of televisionas aspace for culturaland local wisdom has been enthusiastically welcomed
by many parties. Regrettably, this expectation proves to be nothing more than an empty hope. Indonesian
national televisionrarely broadcasts content with local cultural nuances. Nationaltelevision broadcast is filled
with popular and global cultural content. Only local television tries hard to remain the last guardian of
Indonesianculture and local wisdom. Several studies have raisedthe issue of local television broadcast content
but have not succeeded in explaining the dynamics that occur in the management of local television to
maintainand inherit local culture. This study aims to fill this gap.
Design/methodology/approach –This researchwas conducted using a qualitative descriptive method with
interviewtechniques as data collection methods.
Findings –Indonesian local television continuesto struggle to become the guardian for the sustainability of
Indonesian localculture by emphasizing its market segmentation andtrying to meet their needs, trying hard to
implement intensification and extensification strategies, continuing to struggle to balance the onslaught of
global culture and relying on government agencies as a nice market. However, the role and support of the
governmentare greatly needed. Without it, local television will surely fall.
Originality/value –This research reflects the dynamics that occur in the management of local television
which is very challenging. By revealing the struggles that local television goes through in fortifying local
culture and the minimal role of the Indonesian government, this research contributes to the development of
sustainablestrategies and the inheritance of local culturein this global era.
Keywords Local television, Local culture, Media ecology, Media content, Mass media
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The development of digital technology has brought the world’s people connected to each
other and become one global village. This situation is certainly a blessing for humanity
because there is no longer isolation and a large technological gap between world
communities. However,this globalization will have an impact on local culture. Local culture
itself is the customs or habits of local people who occupy an area (often called customs)
which are passed down from generation to generation by ancestors and are made an
obligation to carry out sacred activities (Blegur and Dyah, 2021). Local culture plays an
important role as an indicator of identity anda symbol of social unity in society (Taptiani
et al., 2024). Local culture is usually used asa reference for individuals to identify
themselves and the people aroundthem (Brion, 2022).
The authors acknowledge the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the
Republic of Indonesia for the support and funding provided for this research.
Journal of
Information,
Communication
and Ethics in
Society
117
Received30 August2024
Revised 13 November 2024
Accepted17November2024
Journalof Information,
Communicationand Ethics in
Society
Vol.23 No. 1, 2025
pp. 117-133
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/JICES-08-2024-0123
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/1477-996X.htm
Several studies have shown that globalization also makes people forget their identity as a
nation (Suneki, 2012). Foreign cultures entering Indonesia through the Internet have changed
lifestyles (Wijaya, 2023) and have hypnotized some members of society to follow them and
forget their local culture (Muthalib, 2011). If this continues, then it will certainly be dangerous
for Indonesian society because they can lose and not recognize their own local culture.
Globalization generally encourages the integration of global culture with local culture,
resulting in glocalization, where local culture adapts and redefines every global cultural
product to suit the needs, beliefs and customs of local culture (Mutahir et al., 2024). The
glocalization processoccurs because of social intensification and global cultural connectivity
through communication media and social migration (R. Robertson, 1996). In the world of
global capitalist production, products are adapted to local conditions and other special
conditions (not just a case of responding to marketneeds), so that diversity or heterogeneity
appears by itself (Robertson, 2012).As if local, when in fact the content is global. Generally,
only the packaging is local, but the contentremains global.
In such a case, Indonesian media should strike a balance by transmitting programming
containing local Indonesian culture, ensuring that Indonesian society is not torn from its
cultural origins. Unfortunately, television, as the most popularmedia in Indonesia, does not
provide adequate (if any) space for nativeIndonesian cultural content in its broadcast shows.
They are more interested in presenting programs on foreign cultures like America, Turkey,
India and Korea, as well as K-Pop (Jeong et al., 2017). They are very “shackled”byratings;
thus, they do not dare to devote a substantial amount tolocal cultural substance and wisdom
(Haryono, 2018). As a result, it is clearthat the shows they broadcast are popular and receive
great ratings (Haryono,2019a).
According to a media ecology perspective, technology (including media) not only has a
tremendous impact on societybut also can govern society at practically every level (Islasand
Bernal, 2016). Human perception and understanding are influenced by the media and all
communication activities thattake place within it. As a result, television, as a kind of media,
should value and promote local culture. This is also consistent with television’s crucial
position and purpose in society, specifically as a medium of educationand value transmission
(Haryono, 2019b). According to Wiredu et al. (2021), television as a form of mass media
should educate the audience while also promotingnational values and culture. According to
Natanael and Haryono (2018), television can play a significant role in shaping national
identity and promoting socialinclusion. Unfortunately, national televisionexecutives are not
fully aware of this serious issue. Many national television networks continue to ignore this.
On the contrary, some regional television stations continue to work to promote regional
culture and local expertise.
Anwar et al. (2020) highlight theirony of this situation, given television’s significant role
in educating and passing on values in society. Television, as a form of mass communication,
should educate the public while also promoting national values and culture. According to
Hassen (2016), television broadcasts have a significant impact on societal values. Based on
these issues, researchers investigated how regional television in Indonesia empowers local
cultures through the broadcast programming it produces and attempted to explain the
dynamics that occur. The objective of this research is to explore how local TV in Indonesia
manages its station to support the preservationof local culture and what challenges they have
to overcome.
2.Local television
Local television, like all other forms of mass media, serves as an educational, entertaining
and informational medium,as well as a social control medium (Darwadi, 2017). However,as
JICES
23,1
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