The Construction of Cultural Identity in Local Television Station’s Programs in Indonesia 1 Yuyun W.I Surya 2 Department of Communication Science, Faculty of Social and Political Science s, Airlangga University ABSTRACT This study aimed at exploring the construction of cultural identity in Jawa Timur Television (JTV)’s programs. Several programs with local setting, issue and local language were examined through a textual analysis using Ricoeur’s translation interpretation of cultures approach. For Ricoeur, there is no way to understand society except through the interpretation of the expressions of the self-society’s actions, symbols, and texts. Further, these texts are coming from traditions that continue to be maintained alive through transmission, transl ation and interpretation. It reveals that JTV has constructed “new” cultural identity for East - Javanese. The identity of Suroboyoan culture (Surabaya is the capital city of East Java province where JTV is located) has been translated into several symbols s uch as the use of specific language and the use of particular kampung icons as the setting of talk show program (Cangkru’an , a Javanese language with Surabaya dialect means hang out) and dubbing Asian serials with Surabaya dialect of Javanese language. JTV thus has transmitted, translated and interpreted the face of Surabaya by developing what Ricoeur said as dynamic narrative identity: an intercultural exchange shown through crisscrossing influences —between traditional, transitional and modern society. Key words: cultural identity, interpretation of culture The Rise of Local Televisions in Indonesia The history of television in Indonesia is the history of contestation among political power, economic investments and professional interests (Sudibyo, 2004: 9 6). It started when Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) owned by the government was established in 1962, aimed at supporting nation’s existence and identity. TVRI was born to support Asian Games event held in Indonesia as well as to develop country’s image -building internationally. It also intended to boost technology competitiveness as previously there was only Japan who embraces television technology since 1950s. In 1953, the government decided to own this technology (Sen, 2000). A decision that was suppor ted by US, England, Germany and Japan as they intended in providing the hardware. Throughout the New Order, TVRI remained expressly geared to the promotion of national integration, encapsulated in the motto: TVRI menjalin persatuan dan kesatuan (weaves together our unity and the union). Since its existence, TVRI played a central role in each New Order’s political communication activities. Beyond its function as the history - documentation medium, TVRI became tools of propaganda (Kitley, 2001). It monopolises information and perpetuates government’s interests. TVRI domination comes to an end when in 1988, Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI) established as the first private television. Began to operate as pay -television in Jakarta, RCTI got the permit to broadcast free to air in 1990. Respectively, private television mushroomed, such as Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV), Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI), Andalas Televisi (ANTV), Indosiar Visual Mandiri (Indosiar) between 1989 and 1995. Later, 1 Paper ini pernah dipresentasikan dalam Media: Policies, Cultures and Futures in the Asia Pacific Region-Asia Pacific Futures Research Network' s Annual Signature Event Conference, Curtin University of Technology Perth Australia, 27 -29 November 2006. 2 Correspondence: Y.W.I Surya. Department of Communication Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Airlangga University. Jl. Airlangga 4-6 Surabaya 60286, Indonesia. Phone: (031)5034015. E-mail: yuyun_surya@unair.ac.id, ysurya_fisip@unair.ac.id.