Understanding Perspectives in a Media Text: Critical Discourse Analysis of Babar Sattar's 'Dangerous Contradictions'

Abstract

Media is esteemed as an informer for the general public. Consequentially, the media text elaborates on things in black and white. However, this forum cannot only be utilized for the sake of giving information, rather, it can aid in constructing a discursive truth for the audience, particularly by the author. Only a critical evaluation of the language of a media text can effectively reveal what has been highlighted and mitigated. Keeping these perspectives in view, this paper aimed to critically evaluate a media text, written by Babar Sattar, 'Dangerous Contradictions' (published in the Dawn Newspaper on September 22, 2014). The research exemplified the in-depth perspectives media texts hold within them and, in turn, revealed how language constructs ideologies both directly and indirectly. In such a way, the study sought to emphasize the dire need of critical assessment to be conducted on media texts, as they play a major role in shaping up the ideology of a nation.

Headnote

Abstract

Media is esteemed as an informer for the general public. Consequentially, the media text elaborates on things in black and white. However, this forum cannot only be utilized for the sake of giving information, rather, it can aid in constructing a discursive truth for the audience, particularly by the author. Only a critical evaluation of the language of a media text can effectively reveal what has been highlighted and mitigated. Keeping these perspectives in view, this paper aimed to critically evaluate a media text, written by Babar Sattar, 'Dangerous Contradictions' (published in the Dawn Newspaper on September 22, 2014). The research exemplified the in-depth perspectives media texts hold within them and, in turn, revealed how language constructs ideologies both directly and indirectly. In such a way, the study sought to emphasize the dire need of critical assessment to be conducted on media texts, as they play a major role in shaping up the ideology of a nation.

Keywords: Critical Discourse Analysis, Media Text, Language and Ideology

1. Introduction

This analysis is with reference to the article Dangerous Contradictions published in Dawn Newsby Babar Sattar, a renowned lawyer and columnist of Dawn News, keeping in view the socio-political scenario in which the state has been for more than a month as a result of the sit-ins and protests of Imran Khan's PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf) and Tahir-ul-Qadri's PAT (Pakistan Awami Tehreek). The writer, in this editorial, has not only given the gist of the last few days but has also highlighted the repercussions one has to face as a result of the continuity of such mobilizations. In addition to the aforementioned, critical scrutiny of the text reveals the various dimensions hidden within the content which include voice of the Government, Military, Imran Khan, Tahir ul Qadri and the general masses reflected by the writer to shape up the whole argument.

Nevertheless, the author's ideology and perspective on the issue becomes apparent after a thorough discursive analysis. Therefore, a Critical Discourse Analysis was conducted in light of the theoretical frameworks of Norman Fairclough (1995) and Van Dijk (1985, 1988a, 1988b). Carvahlo (2000) and Bardici (2012) formulated stages for the analysis of discourse in their works, after drawing upon the abovementioned theoretical frameworks. These stages, which are to be discussed to unravel the mental modeling of the text, include: Surface Descriptors and Structure, Objects, Social Actors, Language, Framing and Ideological Standpoints.

2. Literature Review

This section briefly discusses the main terminologies under this study and also reviews the previous studies conducted within this field of investigation.

2.1.Media Discourse

Discourse includes anything that is communicating something, including those texts which are shared socially like media texts published in newspapers, magazines etc. Discourse involves language which cannot be isolated from the social context where it is coming from. Thus, discourse brings altered language patterns that bring multitudes of meanings along which get revealed when the text interacts with the audience.

According to Fairclough (2003), a discourse contains three further sub-divisions that categorize it, these include: the production, the form and the reception of the text. Any one element among these can be used to analyze the message of the discourse, because these three elements overlap each other quite often and this interlinking actually brings about the social effect of that discursive text.

2.2. Critical Discourse Analysis

The discourse under investigation, like all other sort of media texts, incorporates multiple interconnected meanings and views. Analysts define discourse as an integration of numerous meanings coming from a wide range of interlinked disciplines. Language use is grounded within the particular social context in which it exists. Critical Discourse Analysis aims to recognize and explore the contexts and standpoints that formulate that language use (Fairclough, 1995). In such a way, an interpretation helps in bringing the underneath lying meaning and also aids in deciphering the real perspective, particularly of the author of the text.

2.3. Previous Studies

Numerous interesting studies have been conducted within this field of study within different countries by researchers. For instance, Yaghoobi (2013) studied the ideologies presented in an Iranian newspaper and compared it with an American newspaper through Halliday's framework; Huckin (2002) examined the discourse of condescension through the method of critical discourse analysis; Shojaei and Laheghi (2012) investigated political ideology in news translations Lefevere's (1992) designed critical discourse analysis framework. Thus, such researches in the field of CDA come to convey the idea that how multifunctional, the language of Media Discourse is, and how vital it is, that this discourse should be investigated with a keen eye.

3. Research Methodology

This section of the paper elucidates the perspectives, methods and framework incorporated for the study.

3.1. Research Perspective

The philosophical school of thought concerned with understanding of the nature of knowledge is termed as epistemology. This insight into the world of knowledge can be obtained by utilizing particular methods of inquiry out of a huge variety of the devised systems (Hirschheim, Klien & Lyytinen, 1995). Thus, in this paper, the epistemological approach has been employed because the research aimed to examine and critically analyze the discourse utilized in a media text.

3.2. Research Method

The methodology of Critical Discourse Analysis has been followed in order to decipher the perspectives embedded within the selected media text. According to Bardici (2012), media texts erect discursive truths that create an effect on the intended audience. This further implies that the authors often, directly or indirectly, employ a number of linguistic strategies that prompt the reader to react and perceive things in a specific way, following an ideology, directed by the author.

3.3. TheoreticaI Framework

Discourse analysis can employ multiple frameworks and methodologies in order to decipher the hidden meaning lying within the text (Lea, 1996). Accordingly, the current study has employed the works of different authors, including Fairclough (1995) and Van Dijk (1985, 1988a, 1988b), collectively to formulate the basic framework which has also been utilized in previous studies by Carvahlo (2000) and Bardici (2012). This theoretical framework consists of the following steps which aid in performing a critical discourse analysis of the media text:

(1) Surface Descriptors and Structure

(2) Objects

(3) Social Actors

(4) Language and Framing

(5) Ideological Standpoints

The selected media text 'Dangerous Contradictions' by Babar Sattar has been sampled through the technique of Convenience Sampling. The above mentioned stages shall be explored by a detailed textual analysis of the aforementioned piece of writing in the next section of the paper.

4. Analysis and Discussion

This section of the paper deals with application of the aforesaid Theoretical Framework along with a comprehensive discussion on the outcomes achieved after critical discourse analysis has been conducted on the selected text.

4.1. Surface Descriptors and Structure

Surface components of the text are as important as the text itself, because they immediately deliver a meaning on their own (Bardici, 2012). Therefore, it becomes imperative to examine the surface elements and draw together the implied connotations.

4.1.1. Date of Publication

The article under discussion was published on September 22, 2014. This date marks the point in time when the protest of PTI and PAT had continued for more than a month, and was reaching its finishing spot. The time of publication gives further validation to the arguments of the author; because it conveys the idea that he has carefully and logically observed all the happenings for the past month and has then finally jotted down his opinion on it.

4.1.2. The Author

Babar Sattar, the author of the article under discussion, is an advocate by profession. According to Pakistan Herald, the author is an eminent name in the field of law and journalism. Further on, he obtained his education from abroad. His well-built educational and professional profile also establishes the fact that his argument is not to be taken lightly. His name, itself, establishes a mark of reliability and authenticity on the mind of the reader. This further strengthens his argument from the very beginning.

4.1.3. Size of the Publication

Dangerous Contradictions contains around 1034 words, which conveys the immense value given to this event, of Protest from PTI and PAT, by the newspaper Dawn. Not only this, but the physical setting of the article on the newspaper also reflects an ideology; the article has been placed in the top most central part of the Editorial page of the newspaper. This placement reveals that the newspaper wants the reader to pay attention to this piece of writing as soon as he opens the Editorial section.

4.2. Objects

Discursive objects or topics help in 'deconstructing' the particular text under study (Carvahlo, 2000: 22) and they further help in realizing the various themes underlying the discourse being scrutinized (Bardici, 2012). The basic intent of writing the article is to bring into the limelight the impact of sit-ins and protest by PTI and PAT to derail the contemporary Government of the country. Moving onwards, their demands have been put forth which have been proven to be self-contradictory as the leaders try to seek help from the same system against which they have assembled a phalanx. Secondly, their role as vigilantes has been criticized as it vividly demolishes the foundation of democracy for which we have been struggling for decades. Another important observation is the frequency of censure against Tahir-ul-Qadri compared with the invective against Imran Khan. As we analyze the article, it reflects the development of polemic against Imran Khan and his demands as they are corroborated to be deleterious for the social, political and economic state of the country by giving references of different articles of the constitution which are being condoned because of the obdurate nature of Tahir-ul-Qadri and Imran Khan.

4.3. Social Actors

According to Fairclough (1995), the social actors are the sources for the author around which he builds his argument. The significant social actors playing their conspicuous or furtive social roles as presented in the article are the Political Leaders of the governing and protesting parties, Militia, Judiciary, Police, and the general masses. However, another important actor hidden within the text is the real writer as he has shared and reflected his prejudice with respect to the ongoing protest by manipulating the language to meet the needs of the disinterested representation of reality. Some of the minor actors included within the discussion to build the argument are Election Commission, Returning Officers and Media.

4.4. Language and Framing

Language and its use deliver certain plausible moves which shape up the opinion of the reader as per the demand of the author, indirectly (Wodak, 1999). In such a manner, particularly in the media discourse, the author links persuasion with credibility and truthfulness (Van Dijk, 1988). Framing is usually defined as the process of composition of facts with opinions, be they objective or subjective, in order to construct and have a holistic view of reality (Carvalho, 2000). The art of framing is used galore in case of the Print Media as it is dependent upon language, which is used to present a reality which is meant to be portrayed to the masses. Critical Discourse Analysis helps unravel the framing of the concerned piece of writing by firstly beginning the examination from its title:

4.4.1. Headline

The word 'contradiction' itself has a negative connotation of repudiating the veracity of a statement by putting forth one's own argument. The writer has tried to have a strong impact by the use of this word and also the addition of 'dangerous ', before it,catches the attention of readers and makes them realize that the text under the heading contains unprecedented kind of contradictions deciphered as a result of these protests. The probity of these statements-cum-demands has been challenged by the writer in the form of interrogative expressions that we find every now and then, as we proceed on with the article. The first contradiction comes at the very outset of the argument where PAT solicits to take aid from the institutions that it declares to be reprehensible:

"But what are you thinking if you seek to delegitimize an existing order, cast aspersions on its institutions, inspire hate against its procedures and outcomes, and then appeal to the same institutions to produce outcomes of your liking. ''(Sattar, 2014)

The second round of contradiction appears with the demand of PTI to establish a Judicial Commission for a summary investigation of 2013 elections, which the author mentions, are deemed as a conspiracy according to Imran Khan. However, it turns out to be apocryphal because this quasi-Judicial Commission should not only overlook the accusation of Imran Khan on the Former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Election Commission and the Returning Officers, but it should also never allow the MNAs to have a fair trial under the Article 10-A. In a nutshell, this Judicial Commission has a single responsibility to corroborate that Imran Khan won the elections held in 2013, according to the author. Therefore, the element of framing begins from the headline as portrayed from the previous discussion.

4.4.2. You-Attitude

The beginning is the most important part of a text. Keeping in view the same significance, the writer has commenced with his argument from the word 'you \ Then your attitude is a common practice found in our day to day discourse, particularly used to lay emphasis on the addressee of a discussion (Rodman, 2001). After the scrutiny of the article, we infer that your attitude has been used by the writer to address different social strata and social actors of the country as discussed under the heading of social actors. The first 'you ' has been written to address the two major protesting mobs assembled to bring a revolution, which hitherto seems next to impossible because of the immaturity of their demands, according to the author and the facts, as reflected in the article. In other words, the implied addressee of the first fou ' are Tahir-ul-Qadri and Imran Khan.

There is another occasion, in the article, where the implied addressees are once again the two leaders of PTI and PAT, who are being accused of implementing their order with the use of force:

"If you seek to enforce such moral position through the use of force, you're demanding right to violence under the garb of protest. " (Sattar, 2014)

The writer tries to establish the idea that their intention is to even cross the limits when it comes to safeguarding their own authority. Moving onwards with our analysis, we come across another 'you ' which addresses us, the general masses:

"By protesting against an objectionable action or policy you record your disapproval while appealing to the conscience of the society and/or decision-makers. The demand is essentially moral in nature. ''(Sattar, 2014)

We are being informed that it is our moral right to protest against the prevailing injustice. However, there is a twist or swing that is reflected by the writer's choice of words, when he writes: 'and/or decision-makes'. The use of such an expression can be considered as a deictic reference towards the establishment which is held to be the actual decision maker of the country. They are either controlling the conscience of the society explicitly and overtly by being is power as reflected by the word and, or they are covertly controlling the country by their implicit control on the Government.

It is the beauty of Critical Discourse Analysis which reveals the thinking and intentions of the writer for using such expressions which could have been written in a straightforward manner. It is due to the same reason that the columnist has given the indirect reference of the armed forces by using the word Khakis:

"The khakis have clarified that they are not intervening. ''(Sattar, 2014)

4.4.3. Prejudice against Imran Khan

Critical analysis of the article as a discourse reveals another important element of prejudice against Imran Khan who has been censured time and again in the article compared with the criticism on Tahir-ulQadri. Expressions like 'Imran Khan insinuates', 'except when they rule in PTI's favour', 'PTI workers obstructing prison vans, IG police threatened by Imran Khan ', 'PTI workers secured by force by the mighty Khan ' (Sattar, 2014) are a vivid portrayal of framing and shaping up the argument in such a befitting manner which would ultimately develop an utter abhorrence against the leader of PTI extemporaneously in the reader. Another proof for this proposition is the absence of Tahir-ul-Qadri's name in the whole article which reflects a soft comer in the mind of the author for the leader of PAT, however, it is not the case when referring to the leader of PTI, whose qualities have been reflected by the use of words like ''vigilante' and 'overawe' in the following lines:

"We see vigilantes controlling the right of way on Constitution Avenue and even Supreme Court judges have to take a detour to reach the court. " (Sattar, 2014)

In addition, writer has revealed that Imran Khan has broken all the laws in an attempt to protect the law by referring to different articles during the discussion.

4.4.4. Pseudo-objectivity of the Argument

The writer has tried to remove subjectivity from the representation of reality by the use of words like 'our' and 'one' which lucidly indicate that the author is not alone in this field of invective. Instead, he is playing the role of being a representative of the masses which is also reflected by the last line of the article in which the writer talks about the repercussions the whole society has to face as a result of demolishing the state and system:

"Once delegitimized, the erosion of state authority will affect all uniforms and not just those worn by civilians. ''(Sattar, 2014)

Once again, the expression will affect all uniforms is a deictic reference towards the armed forces of the country strengthened by the expression, "notjust those worn by civilians'. Therefore, the writer is trying to be the mouthpiece of all the strata of society.

4.4.5. Implicit presence of a Real Writer

CDA (Critical Discourse Analysis) also facilitates to unravel another individual hidden within the whole discussion who has tried to keep his subjectivity covert while establishing the argument. It is the real writer or the real Babar Sattar who has shared his views in a sardonic and sarcastic manner within the parenthesis which are basically meant to add extra information within the text. However, in the given article, this punctuation mark has been used to express the subjective prejudice of the real writer keeping it apart from the implied writer being the representative of the masses. Some of the major examples are:

"PAT wants a new constitutional order (even if it is coy about it). " "Imran Khan insinuates that election tribunals are either incapable or in Sharif's control (except when they rule in PTI's favour). "

"The PTI is essentially saying that we, in view of the conclusive evidence we possess (not yet shared with a competent court) have concluded that we won the 2013 elections. "

4.5. Ideological Standpoints

According to Ghannam (2011), ideology signifies reality in relation with interests of specific groups or individuals. In this particular piece of writing, the ideological perspective of the author has been revealed. In such a way, the analytical study disclosed the main objectives of the article which were shaped with the help of framing to convince the readers that the people, who are out on streets and roads to raise their voice for the rights and law, are themselves involved in derailing democracy and breaking the law whenever they would find a chance, be they the advocates of change or revolution.

5. Conclusion

Thus, Critical Discourse Analysis is an ideal methodology to reveal the hidden agenda, objectives and motives by scrutinizing the kind of language that is being delivered to the masses via electronic and print media. The analysis of the article, in light of the frameworks of Fairclough (1995) and Van Dijk (1985, 1988a, 1988b), has revealed how a reality is constructed and presented towards the masses by the special emphasis on objects, actors, language and, the most important element, framing. Thus from a newspaper, we perceive reality as the writer wants us to perceive it, irrespective of the actual facts.

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