EXPLORATION OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN DIGITAL MEDIA

A STUDY OF SMALL COMMUNITIES IN THE RIAU ISLANDS

Abstract

In the digital era, intercultural communication has undergone significant changes, particularly within ethnically diverse small island communities such as those in the Riau Islands. This qualitative study explores the challenges and opportunities of intercultural communication through digital media among the Laut and Malay communities on Penyengat Island, Tanjung Batu Kundur, Galang, and Bintan, using documentation, observation, and in-depth interviews. The findings identify key challenges, including dialect differences, limited internet infrastructure, and cultural prejudice, alongside opportunities such as expanded perspectives, strengthened social relations, and support for cultural sustainability. The study shows that digital media functions not only as a communication tool but also as a space for negotiating cultural identity and social relations. Theoretically, this research contributes to intercultural communication studies by emphasizing the role of local socio-cultural and geographical contexts in shaping digital communication practices beyond urban-centered perspectives.
Keywords: Intercultural Communication; Digital Media; Cultural Identity; Small Island Communities; Sustainability