Eksistensi Wayang Wong di RRI Surakarta sebagai Media Komunikasi Budaya pada Era Digitalisasi

This study aims to analyze the existence of the Wayang Wong program on RRI Surakarta as a medium of cultural communication in the digital age. This study employs a qualitative approach with informants consisting of one Wayang Wong puppeteer from RRI Surakarta and one listener of the Wayang Wong program. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, observation, documentation, and literature review over a two-week period. The data were analyzed descriptively by grouping the findings based on Harold D. Lasswell’s media functions, which include environmental monitoring, social correlation, and the transmission of cultural heritage, as well as the entertainment function proposed by Charles R. Wright. Observations and documentation were conducted regarding the broadcast’s implementation and the utilization of RRI Surakarta’s official online channels as a form of broadcasting adaptation in the digital era. The research results indicate that Wayang Wong on RRI Surakarta continues to function as a medium of cultural communication by conveying Javanese moral values, ethics, and culture through stories, characters, dialogue, and musical elements. From the listeners’ perspective, the existence of the Wayang Wong program provides access to Javanese cultural performances and information through both radio and digital channels. Adapting to digital media is one of RRI Surakarta’s efforts to maintain the transmission of cultural heritage to the public amid changing patterns of media consumption.