Discourse Network of a Public Issue Debate: A Study on Covid-19 Cases in Indonesia

Abstract

This research is intended to answer the question of the discourses developed in association with Covid-19 management. Discourse in this regard is understood within the context of public policy, i.e. a set of concepts or ideas conveyed by actors to influence public policies. This study employed a discourse coalition theory. In addition, this study applied a discourse network analysis (DNA) method, combining discourse analysis (qualitative contents) and social network method. The DNA method maps any developing discourses on an issue (what) and also actors stating such discourses (who). The research was carried out for five months, starting from 17th November 2019 to 30th April 2020 and it included 1,123 statements of actors that were published in the media. The results of this study show that a coalition of discourse also occurs in health issues. The study reinforces the findings of Leifeld and Haunss (2011) on how actors attempt to present discourse to dominate the public conversation. This research shows the efforts of government actors, i.e. central government, regional governments, and the Ministry of Health, to conduct a coalition between two opposing discourses. The government efforts are not entirely successful. The government is also less successful in using communication channels and social media to form a single discourse.

Positive Discourse Analysis of the Indonesian Government Spokesperson's Discursive Strategies during the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…From the aspect of communication during the Covid-19 pandemic, Eriyanto and Ali (2020) show that the Indonesian government seeks to present discourse to dominate public conversations and conduct adjustments to mediate conflicting discourses. Another study conducted by Olimat (2020b) analyzed dysphemism in Trump's Covid-19 speeches.…”

“…Because the government's ineffective communication during the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to confusion, misunderstanding and bring social impacts on the citizens as well as prolong the pandemic period (Kim & Kreps, 2020). Studies by Eriyanto and Ali (2020) and Olimat (2020b) established that studies on how the government employed discursive strategies to inspire the citizens have not been researched, while Kim and Kreps's study (2020) demonstrated that research on the language used by the government in communication during the Covid-19 pandemic is timely, although studies such as Kim and Kreps (2020) and Rajandran (2020) have been carried out.…”

Framing Model of FPI News on MetroTV

“…These biases are hidden behind the claims of neutrality, objectivity, and impartiality that the media speaks eloquently to the public. (Eriyanto & Ali, 2020) In addition, the direct and indirect involvement of media owners in practical politics (either as party elites, sympathizers, or affiliations with government officials) also has a major influence on the media. In the context of journalism, the influence of media owners directly or indirectly is considered to have an impact on biased texts and visuals.…”

Opinions on Content That Are Extremely Controversial on the Indonesian Twitter

“…Discourse is composed of many parts. According to Hajer (1993 in (Eriyanto, 2020)), discourse consists of a collection of ideas, conceptions, concepts, and categories that are formed via certain behaviors and then applied to the world to give it meaning. The following topics are brought into sharper light by this definition: Discourse is an "assemblage of ideas, thoughts, or concepts"; discourse is created, reproduced, and modified by social actors; discourse is constructed by actors who have a stake in how others interpret reality; and discourse is bounded and restricted to specific social contexts (Eriyanto, 2020).…”