@article{article_1512951, title={‘Bad word’ for good engagement: The commodification of ‘the Suroboyoan language’ in Indonesian local television newsroom}, journal={Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences}, pages={143–175}, year={2025}, DOI={10.26650/CONNECTIST2024-1512951}, author={Nurwahid, Aditya Fahmi and Safira, Citra and Fk Wibowo, Esa}, keywords={Commodification, the Suroboyoan language, local media, newsroom, Indonesia}, abstract={This study explores how Indonesian TV station Jawa Timur TV’s (JTV) commodified the Suroboyoan language in its Pojok Kampung news program as a part of its media convergence strategies and its influence on cultural representation. Known as a dialect in East Java Province, Indonesia, the Suroboyoan tongue has transitioned from oral-informal communication to be a staple-formal language in media, notably through news programs. By taking in-depth interviews and framing analysis, this research investigates how JTV constructs, frames, and represents Suroboyoan cultural identity through the lens of three prominent case studies: the production of Suroboyoan news content on television, online portals, and social media platforms. The study also explores how media convergence strategies influence the cultural representation to align with editorial agendas. JTV leverages the Suroboyoan language to create a unique brand identity, attracting the broader public to gain more revenue. The news content, Pojok Kampung program, is the prime-time program which has become an integral part of media convergence strategy. Pojok Kampung’s content also redistributes in different formats and publishes in the online news portals, Instagram, and TikTok. This strategy aims to boost audience engagement and convert it into revenue, in advertising, clicks of visitors, also the number of digital engagements, with every platform requiring unique content strategies to maximize it. JTV’s approach on Pojok Kampung content to integrating the Suroboyoan language into news products reflect a strategic commodification of local culture, which also indicates that it contributed to reinforcing language stereotypes. The news production in Pojok Kampung portrayed the Suroboyoan language as vulgar and associated with an over-class dialect.}, number={67}, publisher={Istanbul University}