COVID-19 Related Terms in Online News Headlines: Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This research aims to construct news headlines related to COVID-19
terms in Indonesia. The data source is from various online news media
such as health.detiknews.com, kompas.com, and liputan6.com. Data
was collected by only selecting headline news text with istilah (terms)
and COVID-19. The data were analyzed using Norman Fairclough’s
critical discourse analysis approach. The results showed that through
the microstructural dimension, the eight news headlines used linguistic
tools with 1) diction or vocabulary selection focused on the use of the
word COVID-19, and 2) grammatical units dominated by phrases, 3)
syntactic functions dominated by descriptions as topicalization of
discourse, and 4) the form of news that is emphasized on statements
regarding the change or replacement of various terms related to
COVID-19. Then, through the mesostructural dimension, the three
online mass media have different characteristics and characters in
delivering news, especially related to COVID-19 terms, but still being
presented accurately and objectively so that news content can be
conveyed to readers. Finally, through the macrostructural dimension, it
was revealed that a political system demonstrated the power of the
government and the Ministry of Health in determining the use of
various COVID-19 terms in Indonesia.