CONTESTATION OF NEWSPAPER DISCOURSES IN THE NOVEL PEROESOEHAN DI KOEDOES: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS PERSAINGAN WACANA AKHBAR DALAM NOVEL PEROESOEHAN DI KOEDOES: SATU ANALISIS WACANA KRITIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Newspapers are the primary medium of moulding discourse on significant events, including the anti-Chinese riots in Koedoes, also known as Kudus, Central Java in 1918. Some publications even created conversations to further their goals of broadcasting news to the public. Hence, this study aims to examine discourse conflicts featured in newspapers highlighted by the novel Peroesoehan di Koedoes by Tan Boen Kim (TBK). A qualitative descriptive approach was utilised in this study, with an emphasis on the identification of news cuttings featured in the novel. Data was processed using Teun A. Van Dijk’s critical discourse analysis theory, focusing on social context, text structure and social cognition. Findings indicated that the contestation of discourse in the newspaper cuttings was an attempt to influence public opinion. Sin Po, a Chinese newspaper, focused on protecting Chinese victims, whereas De Locomotief, a Dutch periodical, focused on the hazardous propaganda by indigenous groups. Conversely, Sinar Hindia, a Bumiputera newspaper, focused on the protection of residents and the Islamic Union (SI). The outlet also wrote a clarification to relieve the Bumiputera of responsibility. In addition, specific newspapers could have potentially displayed ulterior motives. TBK’s choice of stories might also indicate his aim to denounce the rioters’ crimes against ethnic Chinese. Future research can explore other TBK works through critical discourse analysis as well to map his tendencies during the production of discourse.

Keywords: contestation of discourse; newspaper; Peroesoehan di Koedoes; indigenous; Chinese

ABSTRAK

Surat khabar menjadi medan utama membentuk wacana semasa berlakunya pelbagai kejadian, misalnya rusuhan anti-orang Cina di Koedoes, kini dikenali sebagai Kudus, Jawa Tengah pada tahun 1918. Sejumlah akhbar tersebut turut menggalakkan perbincangan lanjut demi menyebarkan berita kepada orang ramai. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan meneliti persaingan wacana dalam keratan akhbar yang diketengahkan dalam novel Peroesoehan di Koedoes tulisan Tan Boen Kim (TBK). Pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif digunakan untuk mengenal pasti keratan laporan yang dipilih. Data selanjutnya diproses menggunakan teori analisis wacana kritis olahan Teun A. Van Dijk sambil menekankan unsur konteks sosial, struktur teks dan kognisi sosial. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa persaingan wacana dalam keratan akhbar yang dipaparkan bermatlamat mempengaruhi pendapat awam. Akhbar berbahasa Cina Sin Po bertujuan melindungi mangsa berbangsa Cina, manakala penerbitan berkala Belanda De Locomotief menampilkan propaganda berbahaya daripada golongan Bumiputera. Sebaliknya, akhbar Bumiputera, Sinar Hindia, bertindak melindungi penduduk tempatan dan Sarekat Islam (SI). Akhbar berkenaan turut menjelaskan bahawa golongan Bumiputera tidak bertanggungjawab atas kejadian itu. Sejumlah akhbar pun boleh dianggap sebagai memiliki niat tersembunyi. Pemilihan laporan berita oleh TBK mencerminkan juga matlamatnya hendak mengkritik kesalahan perusuh ke atas orang berbangsa Cina. Cadangan kajian lanjutan ialah analisis wacana kritis ke atas karya lain tulisan TBK perlu dijalankan untuk memahami arah kecenderungannya semasa berwacana.

Kata kunci : persaingan wacana; akhbar; Peroesoehan di Koedoes; bumiputera; Cina