The Representation of China in U.S. Media Discourse in the Relevance of the Corona Pandemic: CDA

Abstract

This study examines U.S. media coverage of China, particularly U.S. President Donald Trump, during coronavirus events. The study employed the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) methodology to conduct the investigation. This study employs Van Dijk's (1998) conceptual framework of the ideological arena and social-cognitive approach. A total of ten tweets about the Corona crisis were gathered from the social media platform Twitter. These tweets were subsequently subjected to analysis using the Van Dijk model in order to derive meaningful findings. The research findings indicate that the President of the United States employed various rhetorical techniques, such as vocabulary selection, figurative language usage, assumptions, loaded phrases, and explicit claims, to portray China unfavorably to the general public. In addition, the individual strategically capitalized on a presidential disagreement with a political adversary to portray China unfavorably, in contrast to the actions undertaken by his administration. He portrayed it favorably.