The subjectivity portrayed in online news under the theme of COVID-19 in Indonesia

Abstract

Subjectivity is a crucial problem in the news and can be seen through the representation of clause projection. This current study attempts to investigate the subjectivity portrayed in online news text. Dealing with this, qualitative approach through content analysis method was used as research design. The data were selected purposively from twenty online news from reputable newspaper in Indonesia under the theme of COVID-19 pandemic. The data itself were in the clauses forms and analyzed by using the theory of logical function. Based on the analysis, it is concluded that that the news has low subjectivity indicated by the domination of locution clauses rather than idea clauses (either in paratactic or hypotactic form). Locution clause are represented by the process such as ujar (said), ungkap (state), berkata (said), tambah (add), terang (explain), jelas (explain), urai (elaborate), tutur (state), and imbuh (add). Meanwhile, the indication of ‘subjectivity’ in the data includes the idea clauses represented by the process such as pungkas (conclude), menurut (thinks), pikir (thinks), and asumsi (assume). It can be inferred that the news writers and editors consistently keep the information as original as it is by maintaining the objectivity.