A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS COVID-19 THROUGH SCIENTIFIC AND RELIGIOUS LENSES

Abstract

The research paper explores a critical discourse analysis of social media news coverage surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on how the narratives from 2020 to 2021 were influenced by various ideological perspectives and power dynamics. By analyzing a random selection of news content from diverse social media outlets, the study seeks to uncover the implicit biases that shaped the portrayal of the "novel" coronavirus and its severity. The discussion emphasizes how these narratives were not merely factual accounts of the pandemic but were deeply intertwined with specific agendas and worldviews. For instance, scientific discourse often emphasized the unprecedented nature of the virus and the urgent need for public health measures, while some religious narratives interpreted the pandemic as a test of faith or divine intervention. The findings reveal that despite the appearance of neutrality, social media narratives often reflected the ideologies of powerful groups, including those with scientific authority, political influence, and religious affiliations. The paper highlights the complex interplay between personal, political, scientific, religious, and national biases in the media's representation of the pandemic. Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of critically examining the power structures and ideological underpinnings that shape social media news, particularly during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:   Pandemic Covid-19, Critical Discourse Analysis