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The Critical Discourse Analysis of Domestic Helper Abuse Case by Different News and Social Media Platforms – A Case Study of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih
- 1 City University of Hong Kong
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Abstract
The paper discusses the unfair treatment of Indonesian domestic worker (DHs) based on a case study of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih using a critical discourse analysis (CDA) approach. Both official statements and unofficial comments are thoroughly analyzed to demonstrate the media's hidden power in influencing public opinion. We identify polarity in attitude (positive and negative) towards the case in NGOs (non-governmental organization) and comments from social media and Hong Kong forums. NGO are essential in raising awareness about the discrimination and racism faced by domestic helpers and in shaping public opinion to support more inclusive policies for immigrants. Conversely, discussions on social media and Hong Kong forums show that opinions on Erwiana's case were not unanimous. Some comments even displayed racial discrimination. However, these descriptions and labels of foreign domestic helpers can be seen as objective statements or based on life experiences. Commenters are unaware of the stereotypes and discrimination against East Asian women that are concealed within the racial ideology of Hongkongers.
Keywords
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), Hong Kong Domestic Worker, Stance-taking, Media Discourse
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Cite this article
Xie,M. (2024). The Critical Discourse Analysis of Domestic Helper Abuse Case by Different News and Social Media Platforms – A Case Study of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih. Communications in Humanities Research,39,190-194.
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Volume title: Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies
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