“This Virus is a Common Threat to All Humans”: Discourse Representation of COVID-19 in Selected Newspaper Editorials

Existing studies on viruses with bias for COVID-19 have mainly been carried out from non-linguistic fields. Linguistics-related studies have not examined the media representation of COVID-19 since it is a recent development. This study, therefore, identifies the representational strategies, discourse structures and discourse strategies deployed by selected newspapers in representing COVID-19 and associated participants. Data were retrieved from selected COVID-19-related editorials from four purposively selected countries and continents across the world: New York Times (USA, North America), The Guardian (UK, Europe), China Daily (China, Asia) and The Punch (Nigeria, Africa), published in the early periods of the pandemic, and precisely from January 1 – March 31, 2020. Guided by aspects of van Dijk’s socio-cognitive model of critical discourse analysis on ideological discourse structures, data were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. The newspaper editorials unusually converged to negatively represent an issue – COVID-19 – because it is largely negatively viewed by all. Ten representational strategies (like economic cankerworm, threat to humans, common enemy), six discourse strategies (like demonising, criminalising, condemnation) and twelve ideological discourse structures (like Actor Description, Authority, Burden) and different participant representations and roles (like solver, potential super spreader) were identified in the study. The newspapers largely set the agenda on the negative representation of the virus and its potential havoc on all facets of human endeavours, thereby giving emotional and informational appeal to all to join hands in earnestly silencing the epidemic. Keywords: COVID-19, media representation, newspaper editorials, discourse strategies, discourse structures

Transgender Microcelebrity Activists: Self-broadcasting as Politics

This research is a qualitative study of Natalie Wynn and Blaire White, two transgender women who empower themselves via social media. Through microcelebrity practices, these two figures have garnered audiences online to disseminate ideas pertaining to their political ideologies. I examine the transgender microcelebrities’ Instagram accounts and YouTube videos via Jerslev’s framework for microcelebrity practices based on observations of self-celebrification on YouTube. The observed content was then examined through a political activist lens using framework from Daskal on digital rights. Participatory technologies become a tool for mobilization and information sharing. Broadcasting one’s experiences and how they relate to larger dialectics of a minority group is political in nature. This self-representation is significant for minority groups that lack sufficient mainstream approval and media representation. This study cannot define what success looks like for a digital activist, as it would be difficult to find and measure qualitative actions directly resulting from self-broadcasting. As more communication takes place on computer-mediated technologies, it must be acknowledged these interactions do not take place within a vacuum, and effects are felt offline, even if we cannot measure each instance of influence from watching a 40-minute video on YouTube.

Reimagining the Face of HIV/AIDS

Chapter 5 features a discussion of the queer biopic’s relationship to PWA photography and media representation, looking finally to contemporary media practices to reflect upon the current AIDS media landscape. The queer biopic does not function outside of other modes of photography and video; instead, questions of portraiture are foundational to any understanding of the biopic form. The chapter moves through the history of PWA photography, providing readings of photography by Therese Frare, Nicholas Nixon, David Wojnarowicz, and Nan Goldin. The chapter’s turn to contemporary HIV + multimedia artist Kia LaBeija examines the legacies of black queer performance that emerge in her video and photographic work.

Dietas confinadas: análisis del discurso de la prensa sobre la nutrición en tiempos de Covid-19

The essential elements of the Spanish press’s discourse on nutrition guidelines during the Covid-19 health crisis are identified. To do this, the evolution of media representation is examined, with a semantic analysis of the news appearing in the national media in Spanish regarding nutrition and Covid-19. The analyzed period is from 31 January 2020 to 31 January 2021. The content search carried out using the Factiva database identified 117 records, which were analysed using T-LAB software. The results reveal that the press warned of hoaxes regarding nutrition during the study period. Four semantic groups are identified, informing about the most appropriate eating patterns according to the different circumstances during the pandemic. The results show that the press plays a role as an educator of Spanish society on nutrition-related topics. Resumen Se identifican los elementos esenciales sobre el discurso que la prensa española llevó a cabo sobre las pautas de nutrición durante la crisis sanitaria de la Covid-19. Se examina la evolución de la representación mediática y se efectúa un análisis semántico de las noticias aparecidas en los medios nacionales y en lengua española referidas a la nutrición y la Covid-19. El período analizado se inició el 31 de enero de 2020 y finalizó el 31 de enero de 2021. La búsqueda de contenidos se realizó mediante la base de datos Factiva. Se obtuvieron 117 registros que se analizaron mediante el software T-LAB. Los resultados revelan que la prensa alerta de los bulos sobre nutrición que se han producido durante el período analizado. Se identifican cuatro grupos semánticos orientados a informar sobre las pautas de alimentación más adecuadas según las diferentes circunstancias en la pandemia. Se constata que la prensa desempeña su papel como agente educador en la sociedad en materia de nutrición.

Green Volunteers in Czechoslovakia: The Youth Magazine Mladý svět and its Environmental Campaign, 1970s-1980s

Concern with environmental degradation was one factor contributing to the discontent preceding the revolutions of 1989 in East-Central Europe. This article identifies the trajectories of environmental activism in Czechoslovakia, one of the most industrialized countries of the post-1945 socialist bloc. Analysing the media representation of environmental volunteers during late socialism, the examination focuses on the youth magazine Mladý svět, which prominently discussed environmental issues and became home to the Brontosaurus youth movement. During the so-called ‘normalization’ era of the 1970s and 1980s, which is often characterized as a time of stagnation, this movement for environmental volunteering provided young people with opportunities for self-realization and alternative lifestyles. While the movement shared several features of the New Social Movements of the 1970s, Czechoslovak green volunteerism took an ambivalent position within formal socialist youth structures, shedding light on the complex relationship between what is considered ‘alternative’ or ‘oppositional’ in late socialism.

The Representation of Syrian Refugees in Canadian Online Media: A Focus on the Topos of Burdening

Background: This study focuses on the representation of Syrian refugees in Canadian online news media. It examines 375 articles selected from three of the most visited Canadian news sites, namely the Toronto Star, which favours the Liberal Party, and the Toronto Sun and National Post, which favour the Conservative Party. Analysis: The basis of this research is a topoi analysis, whereby instances of the topos of burdening are identified, examined, and categorized as either positive or negative. Conclusion and implications: A distinction is drawn between the depiction of Syrian refugees in conservative- and liberal-leaning news sources. The findings aim to provide some insight into the possible impact of media representation on both the Syrian refugees and the Canadian public. Contexte: Cette étude porte sur la représentation des réfugiés syriens dans les médias d’information canadiens en ligne. Elle examine 375 articles choisis à partir de trois des sites de nouvelles canadiens les plus visités, à savoir le Toronto Star, partisan du Parti libéral, le Toronto Sun et le National Post, partisans du Parti conservateur. Analyse: Cette recherche se fonde sur l’analyse de topoï pour identifier, examiner et catégoriser des topos sur les fardeaux comme étant positif ou négatifs. Conclusion et implications: Cette étude établit une distinction entre la manière dont les sources de nouvelles à tendance conservatrice dépeignent les réfugiés syriens et la manière dont les sources à tendance libérale le font. L’objectif est de mieux comprendre l’impact possible des représentations médiatiques sur les réfugiés syriens ainsi que sur le public canadien.

Movie Media: Misrepresentation of Homosexual Characters Within Comedy Films Since the 80s Caused by Heterosexist Ideals in the Acting and Directing Process

Critical discourse analysis is a qualitative research approach used to study social inequalities, in which it creates the connection between social practices and the social context. The use of film analysis variables of non-discourse and discourse practices relating to this analysis approach was examined from one film representative of each decade; the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The heterosexism found within the acting and directing process of films within the comedy genre while structuring a gay character in screenplay was examined through the research process by honing in on specific variables. The conducted study’s research process involved multiple viewings of each movie: Victor/Victoria, Clueless, and Bridget’s Jones Diary where 3 scenes were chosen from the film regarding variables such as materialisations, speech, and actions that held correlation to the portrayal of a homosexual character. By the film variables directly corresponding with the characterization, the research analysis demonstrated heterosexist actor’s and director’s choices throughout the filming process and their correlation to common stereotypes against homosexuals being drawn off of for comedic effect. Over the span of 3 decades, the use of stereotypes within homosexual movie media representation; although progressive towards inclusion, has strictly portrayed such characters in comical, non-serious scenes. It is with a comparison of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s take on gay portrayals that the founded extremity of the use of such common stereotypes was recognized as they continuously, negatively impact the LGBTQ community through the continuation of use constituting these portrayed personas as correct.