Critical Discourse Analysis of COVID-19 BBC News on X Platform

Abstract

This study critically examines the BBC's COVID-19 discourse on the social media platform X (previously Twitter) to explore how media language shaped public attitudes and health behaviors during the pandemic. The research investigates the BBC tweets posted between January 2020 and May 2023 using a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework. By analyzing the inclusive pronoun, metaphor, and modality, the study reveals how the BBC crafted messages of collective responsibility, urgency, and empathy to promote public compliance with health guidelines. The methodology follows Fairclough's three-dimensional model which includes textual analysis of linguistic features, discursive practice of intertextuality and framing, and social practice analysis of societal contexts. Tweets were purposively sampled based on engagement metrics and relevance, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the evolving discourse throughout the pandemic's progression. This comprehensive approach highlights how BBC discourse aligned with authoritative sources (including government policies and scientific findings) to reinforce credibility and influence public understanding. Key findings demonstrate the BBC's role in framing health behaviors through emotive storytelling which humanized the pandemic's impact and fostered empathy. Repetition of key slogans strengthened public commitment to collective responsibility and compliance with health measures. The study also uncovers underlying power dynamics and social inequalities reflected in the discourse, emphasizing the media's influence in shaping public responses during the crises. This research contributes to understanding the intersection of language, power, and ideology in pandemic reporting. It underscores the need for ethical media practices and enhanced public media literacy to navigate health emergencies effectively.