RRI: Sekali di Udara Tetap di Udara

On the morning of 11 September 1945, a modest building in Jakarta became the birthplace of one of Indonesia’s most enduring cultural institutions. From this unassuming location, a new voice emerged, one that would chronicle the nation’s journey through revolution, reconstruction, and rapid change. Radio Republik Indonesia, or RRI, was more than just a broadcaster. It was the audible heartbeat of a newly independent state.

The roots of RRI can be traced to the turbulent days following the Japanese occupation and Indonesia’s declaration of independence on 17 August 1945. Radio had already proven its potency as a communication tool under both colonial and wartime regimes. During the Japanese occupation, Japanese-run radio stations had been used to spread imperial propaganda. Yet when independence was declared, a group of nationalist broadcasters saw the potential for something far greater. On 11 September, they gathered to establish a national radio station with the singular purpose of amplifying the voice of the republic. This effort marked the formal founding of RRI.

Early broadcasts played a pivotal role in uniting a fragmented archipelago. Indonesia, still writhing under the threat of Dutch military aggression, relied heavily on radio as the primary medium of communication. RRI became the lifeline connecting Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and beyond. Its airwaves carried messages of resistance, speeches from leaders like Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta, and musical expressions of national pride. It was not simply reporting history, it was making it.

The importance of RRI grew during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). With limited infrastructure, no stable postal system, and telecommunication lines under threat, radio became a strategic asset. When Dutch forces launched a surprise attack during the second “police action” in December 1948, President Soekarno was captured. Yet RRI's mobile team in Bukittinggi broadcast a message of defiance: the Republic still existed. That voice, resolute and unbroken, maintained the legitimacy of the revolutionary government in the eyes of its people and the world.

In the decades that followed, RRI evolved into a comprehensive public broadcasting system, with regional stations established across the country. It was not only a political instrument, but also a cultural hub. Traditional music, regional languages, religious programming, and national development initiatives all found space on its channels. For generations of Indonesians, especially in rural areas, RRI was the only accessible source of news, education, and entertainment.

However, the golden era of RRI did not last unchallenged. The liberalisation of Indonesia’s media landscape in the late 1980s and early 1990s opened the floodgates for private radio stations. No longer the sole voice on the airwaves, RRI found itself competing with a new wave of commercial broadcasters, many of which were quicker to adopt contemporary formats and appeal to younger, urban audiences. While private stations thrived on music, celebrity gossip, and aggressive advertising, RRI remained anchored in its public service mandate — a stance that, while noble, appeared increasingly antiquated in the eyes of advertisers and media consumers.

This period of transformation brought internal challenges as well. Questions arose about funding, autonomy, and editorial independence. As a government-run institution, RRI struggled to balance public service broadcasting with the expectations of a rapidly privatising media economy. Its structure, shaped during an era of centralised governance, was slow to adapt to the decentralised and digitised demands of the 21st century.

Despite these struggles, RRI has managed to retain a unique position in the national media ecosystem. Its commitment to serving remote and underserved communities remains unwavering. In Papua, for instance, RRI is often the only available medium for timely information. Its role in disaster response, particularly during earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, continues to be vital. The station provides accurate, up-to-date information when other channels fall silent.

Moreover, RRI has embraced technological shifts in recent years. Online streaming, podcasting, and social media integration are now part of its operations. While its pace of digital adaptation may not rival that of commercial platforms, efforts are being made to ensure relevance among younger audiences without abandoning its founding mission.

What sets RRI apart is not just its longevity but its symbolic weight. It represents a continuity of national consciousness, bridging the idealism of independence with the pragmatism of modern governance. The broadcaster’s archives, which include speeches, oral histories, and field recordings from across Indonesia, are a treasure trove of cultural memory. These records are not merely historical curiosities, they are crucial reference points for understanding how Indonesians have navigated identity, conflict, and change.

The station’s legacy is also evident in the professional standards it helped to establish within Indonesian journalism. RRI was instrumental in training early generations of reporters, technicians, and producers. Many of today’s media professionals began their careers within its walls. Its motto, Sekali di udara tetap di udara (Once on air, always on air), is more than just a slogan, it captures a persistent spirit of service and endurance.

As Indonesia confronts new challenges (disinformation, political polarisation, and the erosion of media trust) the role of public broadcasting is arguably more vital than ever. RRI’s historical credibility and its ethos of impartiality could serve as a stabilising force in the increasingly chaotic digital landscape.

To understand RRI is to understand a part of Indonesia’s soul. It is not merely a broadcaster but a vessel of the nation’s collective memory, resilience, and aspirations. In an era dominated by algorithmic feeds and transient content, its voice endures, calm, deliberate, and rooted in purpose.

Whether its future lies in further digital integration, educational programming, or cultural preservation, one thing remains clear: RRI’s role is far from finished. As long as there are listeners seeking context, clarity, and connection, that original voice of independence will continue to echo.