MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF HMPV AND THE COVID-19 VARIANT NB 1.8.1 IN INDONESIAN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The media played a substantial role during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2021. Intensive media coverage helped the public understand COVID-19. However, the situation was different when the HMPV virus and the COVID-19 variant NB 1.8.1 emerged. Using the critical discourse analysis (CDA) model developed by Teun A. van Dijk, this study examines how three Indonesian local newspapers, namely Tribun Jabar, Tribun Yogyakarta, and Tribun Lombok, represent the HMPV virus and the COVID-19 variant NB 1.8.1 in their news coverage. The analysis draws on ten news articles published between January and June 2025, selected because the three outlets belong to the same media group (Kompas Group) yet represent geographically distinct regions of western, central, and eastern Indonesia. This study finds that local media portray the government's strategy in managing the outbreaks, depict HMPV and the COVID-19 variant NB 1.8.1 as low-risk, and urge the public to remain vigilant, maintain healthy habits, and avoid panic.