A Critical Discourse Analysis of “TikTok Reportedly Restricted Anti-Palestine Content

After Complaint from Indonesian Gov’t”

Agnes Ivana Ardisoma

2018.111.113

STBA YAPARI ABA Bandung

Abstract:

This article entitled A Critical Discourse Analysis of “TikTok Reportedly

Restricted Anti-Palestine Content After Complaint from Indonesian Gov’t” is
taken from the digital information media, Coconuts. In this analytical journal, the
author wants to find out how the relationship between discourse and language
with discourse analysis from Norman Fairclough. A language is a communication
tool that is used by everyone inside to convey meaning and argument. Language
and discourse are very closely related and cannot be separated from each other;
therefore, this study aims to determine the socio-cultural reality related to
language and the intent of the discourse itself.
Keyword: Discourse analysis, Language, Norman Fairclough, Coconuts, Social

INTRODUCTION

Language is a communication tool used by people in this world, every human from each
country uses language in their daily life to convey information, socialize, argue, and communicate
with each other. A language emerges from an existing society’s culture so that we can see a
phenomenon through a language. According to SLIMGARD, Language is a format of thought that
can be digested and has a relationship with reality, has a structure, and a logical format.
Communication and culture cannot separate because culture can determine the meaning, message,
and conditions to send. According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, Linguistic Relativity Theory, in
fact, every language shows a reality of mind, inner, experience, and thinking a world in different
ways, that shows a symbolic world.

Language turns out to be not only a means of communication but also used as an instrument
to do something or a means of implementing a power strategy. Through language, people produce
meaning in social life. Through language, people can produce meaning in social life. Critical
 Discourse Analysis (CDA) can help people to understand the language in its use. Critical
Discourse Analysis (CDA) is a social tool to analyze linguistics in social life such as in culture,
people, gender, and society. We can see that language commonly view as social practice in
society and concerned with systematically analysis in investigating ideologies and hidden
message what the author wants to convey

“The use of language tends not to be transparent, which means that many
discourses do not directly convey the sincere intentions of the writer, but are
laden with rhetoric manipulation and misdirection. Then a critical attitude needs
to question and suspect the existence of value interests or goals that are hidden
behind language” Dr. Haryatmoko.

This research aims to give different sights and perspectives and ideologies of social media
‘TikTok” about today’s happening case. This research is taken from news media, Coconuts Jakarta
21 May 2021. The Indonesian Ministry of IT received reports on many insults and hate speech
against the case of Palestine Israel because many TikTok users from Indonesia freely insult Israel
and spread hoax news through this application. KOMINFO and TikTok team officially limit the
spread of hate speech with restricted audio tracks in TikTok so that can’t longer be used. This case
can make a commotion internationally. The focus of this research is a review of the current issue
in May 2021 regarding anti-Israel which is most talk on the TikTok platform. These things make
various perceptions and opinions in society because many people believe that the Palestinian and
Israel wars are religious wars. Theoretically, perceptions and opinions are born from the
phenomenon that occurs. The Anti-Israel video that is circulating also contains several views of
the public. This study is interesting to discuss, the researcher wants to reveal ideology and cultural
views of the existing society.

RESEARCH METHOD

The use of the method for this research approach to theory by Norman Fairclough referring
to the three-dimensional critical discourse analysis. These three-dimensional of this analysis which
is; (1) analysis of the use of discourse (description), is textual analysis such as a sentence in
statements, question or declaration such as spoken and written) (2) the explanation and
interpretation of the discourse (interpretation), “this level is concerned how people interpret and
reproduce or transform texts” (Rogers, Berkes, Mosley, Hui, and Josep,2005,p371), (3) social
analysis (explanation), “This practice of sociocultural includes an exploration of what happening
in a particular social-cultural framework” (Rogers, Berkes, Mosley, Hui, and Josep,2005,p371)
This final step is a deconstruction of the text to find out assumption and ideologies behind the
discourse and know their different view and belief what they give. Three-level interpretations of
Fairclough; (a) The Micro-level studying structure, metaphoric, rhetorical, and syntax of the text;
(b) The Meso-level is looking to production, consumption, and relation of the text; (c) The Macro-
level is the relation of Ter-textual between text and effect of external factors being the text studied.

The researcher uses this theory because the analytical technique used makes it easy
structurally. This theory referring assists the analyst focus on the important elements such as text,
linguistics, their association, and sequencing their design (Janks,2001:27). Fairclough’s (1992)
theory also has a strong connection between discourse and society. The social structure at all levels;
class, social relations, law, education, politics, nature, system taxonomy has formed and
constrained. This analysis uses a critical discourse analysis approach. The data source in this study
is based on an article in Coconuts Jakarta namely ‘TikTok” about today’s happening case. This
research is taken from news media, Coconuts Jakarta 21 May 2021. The data this research refers
to the anti-Israel video taken from the TikTok platform. To make this analysis easier for
researchers, they need transcription so that the data is valid and able accounted for. The next stage
is data interpretation. Interpretation means that there is a process based on knowledge, the
experience of the researcher’s assumption, and belief in the discourse.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Micro-Level Analysis

Based on Coconuts Jakarta, digital news media in the reporting of “Tiktok Reportedly Restricted
Anti-Palestine Content After Complaint from Indonesian Gov’t”. In this level, the author analyzes
each text use 3 elements basic by Fairclough i.e; representation, relation, and identity.

1. Representation

The results of the analysis in the article “Tiktok Reportedly Restricted Anti-Palestine Content After
Complaint from Indonesian Gov’t”. The researcher found that Coconuts displayed news about
trending things that the other media don’t report. The main point of discussion in this news was
the government’s actions in investigating hate comments and spreading news hoaxes on TikTok.
Indeed there is not a single word “Hoax” in the text, but it can be seen the use of the word
“Indonesia’s IT ministry reportedly called on popular video sharing platform TikTok to limit
content insulting Palestine on its app after officials found dozens of uploads containing hate
speech directed at the foreign state.”.

In the text “content insulting and dozens of uploads containing hate speech” it can be
seen in the text clearly that this is hate speech, but why can it be considered a hoax. The following
explanation hate speech can arise because of the act of provocation, incitement, and an insult to an
individual or group. The hate speech referred to in the sentence above is very clear against Israel
and associated with the A language tense above. Hate speech can appear and occur because of the
spread of hoax news about Israel -Palestine which causes much hate speech. Researchers directly
analyze this “trend” on TikTok, in her research, almost 60%of hate speech spreads because of hoax
news that is spread across Indonesian society is about “Religion wars”.

2. Relation

The discourse in the news text describes the efforts made by the government in dealing with
the spread of hoaxes and hate speech by TikTok users as “trend videos”. The presence of
KOMINFO in the text wants to show the role of Indonesia’s IT Ministry to protect and prevent the
spread of hoaxes that will cause riots in the wider community. We can see that KOMINFO action
through the following text:

“The country’s Information and Communications Ministry (KOMINFO) said

they recently coordinated with TikTok to restrict such content on the app.”

TikTok is displayed in the text discourse because the application is source related to the spread of
hate speech that is currently happening and as a party that professionally and responsibly responds
to reduce the negative impact from “Israel-Palestine video trend” The following text below is the
responsible action of TikTok:

“TikTok has restricted [those] audio [tracks] so that it can no longer be

used. The audio content was categorized in its high-risk library so we
should expect that it won’t come up again,”

it can be concluded that TikTok is very cooperative with the Indonesian government.

The presence of high school students from Bengkulu provides information to readers about how
dangerous social media abuse is due to hate speech, that the government does serious in making
laws.

“This has resulted in the expulsion of a high school student in Bengkulu,

as well as the arrest of a 23-year-old man in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB)
who now faces six years in prison under the Information and Electronic
Transactions Act (UU ITE).”

The government's attitude in the hoax news phenomenon is described in several articles that are
ready to be imposed on the hoax spreaders, including the Criminal Code, Law No. 11 of 2008
concerning Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE), Law No. 40 of 2008 concerning
Elimination of Discrimination Race and ethnicity. not only that, hoax news spreaders can also be
subject to articles related to hate speech and those that have been regulated in the Criminal Code
and other laws outside the Criminal Code

3. Identity

Coconuts are pro against government action in dealing with the spread of hoaxes, news
writers mention government action in solving problems. It’s a shame that overall news writers
develop this case like ordinary information and don’t delve into the problem of hate speech and its
causes.

Meso- Level Structural Analysis

In Meso-Level Structural Analysis is discusses the context of discourse and how the
practice or interpretation of discourse is formed and process. The author wants to give information
on how this information can deliver and represent, from the production of the text with social
relationships provide. Therefore, this analysis study wants to know ‘Who build the discourse’,
Power and Philosophy’ of the discourse analysis.

Coconuts Jakarta is part of Coconuts. co that one of the alternative online media that
produce social, phenomenon, and events that happening especially in Asia (Bangkok, Jakarta, Bali,
Manilla, Singapore, Hongkong, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and beyond). This media focused on the
discussed untold stories in Asia, such as weird and wondrous things that happening in society.
Coconuts provides information to the public in a different way, entertain, and provides a new
perspective for people in big cities s that people can get still get information from a different
perspective.

Of course, Coconuts is not an information media that has a strong power in Indonesia like
Kompas or Jakarta Post, this is because Coconuts is international information media like VICE.
CEO and staff journalism who work at coconuts are mixed from various countries in Asia. The
CEO and founder of Coconuts are Bryan Perry, as Executive Producer for Coconuts TV
productions for Netflix, Discovery, MTV, iflix, and Mediacorp. Byron has led the production of
branded content and advertising on Coconuts for brands including Hilton, Mercedes-Benz, Grab,
Johnnie Walker, MasterCard, Singapore Tourism Board, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Singha
Beer. In 2011, for the first time, he built Coconuts in Bangkok. Until now, not many people know
about Coconuts’ information media, it can be seen from their Instagram followers only 10,1k and
on YouTube 56.9k. It can be seen that for this international class media, not many people looked
it.

If we can see several articles on Coconuts, we can see almost all the existing articles do
not provide detailed information like other information media, coconuts only provide information
as needed, not complete but the information is still acceptable. All this process of discourse
because Coconuts’ principle that found on their website “Coconuts alleviates the critical problems
of ignorance and boredom in today’s youth by informing and entertaining people in Asia’s big
cities so they can live more fulfilling urban lives.” The author sees almost all the articles that exist
only provide approximately 4-6 paragraphs and not more than 500 words of each article. The social
phenomena discussed are also mostly not are related to the political or power of certain people but
rather provide information that is happening in society and something wondrous and strange in it.

Macro-Level Structural Analysis

The Macro-Level structural analysis is the last dimension of a sociocultural practice related to the
context outside the text. The context in question is in the form of the practice of txt-making media
institutions that influence people with ideology and views of society and culture. In Macro-Level
dimensions, Fairclough divided it into 3 levels of analysis as follows:

1. Situational level

Each media presents various kinds of information taken from human interest and
information on events containing conflicts in society. Although the contents on the Coconuts news
do not contain many words, the public gets the latest information in the current situation. In the
case reported is case Israel between Palestine. Mostly Information media in Indonesia reported
from a political point of view. Coconuts take this information from the point of view of the people
who are not widely covered by other media. Coconuts covered the news from how the influence
of social media TikTok that incidentally is an “entertainment” application can make Israel-
Palestine tensions even more heated. The author saw for herself through the TikTok application,
how the Israel-Palestine situation was so heated and the public could freely create a lot of video
hoaxes and hate speech against Israel.

2. Institutional Level

In this aspect, it can be seen how the influence of institutions in the production of discourse
practice. In news writing “TikTok Reportedly Restricted Anti-Palestine Content After Complaint
from Indonesian Gov’t” involved Indonesia’s IT Ministry or KOMINFO as resource institutions.
Coconuts include sources as news headlines to tell readers how the action fast of government is to
deal with hate speech and hoaxes because they will have an impact on international relations.

In this case, KOMINFO as a related institution can be applauded for being responsible for
eradicating hoaxes and hate speech so that people do not spread this trend widely. KOMINFO
officially coordinates with TikTtok by restricting content related to Israel-Palestine. Indeed, the
author sees herself on TikTok, the “trend” content of Israel-Palestine has indeed decreased a lot.
The logarithms trend “Israel-Palestine” that was previously displayed has disappeared from for
your page (FYP) on TikTok. But social media is always social media, there are gaps to speared
hoaxes and hate speech, but so far, the government’s actions have been good enough. The actions
taken by the government and TikTok are restricted audio tracks so people cannot be reused again
and TikTok changes the video logarithm.

Currently, since 2019 KOMINFO has played a very important role in the life of the internet
world in society. Today people can check and access hoax news on the KOMINFO website.
Quoted from Tifatul Sembiring as the Minister of Communication and Information Indonesia “All
media regardless of the country are expected to be able to raise news issues that are preventing
division, and highlighting peace, justice, and partiality to small communities, not conflict
situations like what is currently happening in Palestine-Israel, Syria-Syria Iraq”. She also
emphasized that she believes that she can make a real and clear contribution through this forum to
help the United Nations strengthen the media and the participation of all interests in starting the
next steps to achieve peace, prosperity, and harmony.

3. Social Level

In this social aspect, it looks at the macro system in socio-cultural community and the
economic system, political system, and culture and ideology in that society. How the culture of the
community can determine the discourse that is formed. The author wants to see how the dominant
values in society can affect the practice of discourse.

Quoted from Mulyana (2000:25), Culture is a pattern of community life as a whole that is
complex, abstract, and broad. Many aspects of culture determine communicative behavior. All the
phenomena of life at a certain period including war, revolution, best art, least crime, system change
governance, and changes in the daily diet of urban communities; Johan (1965:405). Humans can
never be separated from conflict. Development conflict seems to develop together humans
themselves. Humans are social creatures who need interaction with other humans. Sometimes this
interaction is not always positive, there are times when clashes between other individuals or
groups.
 In this case, we can see that the majority of people in Indonesia are Muslim the conflict
between Israel and Palestine creates a form of solidarity in a group as if makes Israel a common
enemy, this happens because the Israel-Palestine conflict is in the name of saving the holy lands
of Muslims, and several hoaxes spread in the media, that said this issue is due because religious
war. How the media describe and take advantage of this situation to attract a lot of sympathy from
all public, especially Muslims all over the world. Most of the reasons for sympathy actions that
arise from Muslims are condemning Israel’s attracts on Palestine because they are based on the
same religion. This can be seen in the text of the news in Coconuts “This has resulted in the
expulsion of a high school student in Bengkulu, as well as the arrest of a 23-year-old man in West
Nusa Tenggara (NTB) who now faces six years in prison under the Information and Electronic
Transactions Act (UU ITE).” A statement above is an example of a case of Indonesian society,
where a lot of people use TikTok application to make “trend video” to make things worse. They
challenged, insulted, even offered to be sent to Palestine to fight against Israel. Millions of viewers
who saw this “trend” felt they were in the same group so that it had a wider impact. Moreover,
Indonesian citizens have a sense of over-proud and high solidarity, most of them only support
things that are from their point of view. The impact of this social media was so great because it
caused several demonstrations in big cities such as Bandung and Jakarta. If conflict is allowed,
this will become an arena for debate to be scaled bigger and harder to solve. If it gets to blow up
by media will be consumption towards the formation of public opinion, both public domestically
and abroad. Moreover, if the conflict has a violent impact and humanity.

Can be compared with other countries, the Indonesian people are not ready with existing
digital technology especially social media. This can be seen by the many cases of defamation and
hate speech that has led to many criminal cases because of UU ITE. Indonesia won the title of the
most disrespectful netizen in Southeast Asia, based on the Digital Civility Index (DCI) 2020 survey
from Microsoft. Education about social media in Indonesia is indeed lacking. According to Pandji
Wicaksono “If we have social tools, we don’t necessarily have a social skill”. So far Indonesian
people have been given social tools such as social media, but many Indonesians use social media
unwisely and have a broad impact on people’s lives. Even many public figures do not use these
social tools properly.
CONCLUSIONS:

Language is a system of communication, expression, and argument used by humans in life.

The relationship between language and discourse is closely related to social and political life. In
short, news that the author gets from Coconuts, the use of language, and discourse can be analyzed
by looking at how they are interrelated. In this critical discourse analysis, the author uses 3 levels
of analysis by Norman Fairclough; The first level is Microanalysis, this level is to look at the use
of language used in a news and how influences the text. The Second level is Mezzo analysis, this
part looks at how the news and language are produced. The third is Macro Level analysis, how the
socio-cultural practices contained in the news related to the life that exists in society. Even though
in the text Coconuts fully supports the governments, Coconut is no a digital information media
under anyone’s control and power. Because they carry documentaries on strange and wondrous
news in Asia, they do not focus on the government but the context of issues.
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