Ecological Discourse Analysis of COVID-19 News Reports in CNN Philippines and Rappler

Abstract

Ecological Discourse Analysis (EDA) examines the relationship between language and the environment, focusing on how discourse shapes and reflects ecological and social behaviors. By analyzing linguistic patterns, EDA seeks to uncover how language conveys ideologies, values, and attitudes towards ecological issues, such as sustainability, environmental justice, and human-nature relationships. This paper was positioned to analyze the appraisal characteristics of COVID-19 news reports in CNN and Rappler from January 2020 to November 2021. A total of 28 news articles, evenly sourced from the two outlets, were analyzed. AntConc 4.0.2 identified the use of appraisal resources, including attitude, engagement, and graduation. The findings revealed that CNN Philippines adopted a more balanced tone, characterized by 32.67 percent attitude, 38.07 percent engagement, and 29.26 percent graduation resources. In contrast, Rappler demonstrated a more critical stance, with 36.46 percent attitude, 36.94 percent engagement, and 26.6 percent graduation resources. The engagement system showed that both outlets favored heteroglossic expressions, incorporating multiple perspectives to enrich their reporting. The graduation system, focusing on force, highlighted how both news organizations used intensity in their language to emphasize the significance of COVID-19-related issues. These linguistic patterns reveal distinct ideological orientations and strategies for engaging audiences, highlighting the media’s role in shaping public understanding and response during a global health crisis. The study underscores the significant impact of linguistic choices in news reporting, offering insights into how media narratives influence public discourse in times of uncertainty.