Analyzing Climate Change News Using Van Dijk's Dimensional Model: The News

Article "Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide"

Fairuzi Esa Fatin – 21019011

Abstract

This article applies Teun A. van Dijk's dimensional model of news discourse to a hypothetical
news story titled "Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide." Van Dijk’s model
offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing news articles through multiple dimensions:
cognitive, social, communicative, linguistic, and contextual. By dissecting the news story, this
analysis reveals the complex interplay of mental frameworks, societal influences,
communication strategies, language choices, and situational contexts that shape news
narratives. The findings underscore the model's utility in understanding how news is
constructed and interpreted, ultimately enhancing critical awareness of media dynamics and
fostering informed engagement with news media.

Keywords: Van Dijk's Dimensional Model, News Discourse, Media Analysis, Cognitive,
Dimension, Social Dimension, Communicative Dimension, Linguistic Dimension, Contextual,
Dimension, Climate Change, News Framing, Media Studies.

Introduction

In the field of media studies, understanding how news is produced, structured, and interpreted
is crucial for comprehending its impact on public perception and discourse. Teun A. van Dijk's
dimensional model of news discourse offers a robust framework for analyzing these processes.
Van Dijk’s model breaks down news discourse into several key dimensions cognitive, social,
communicative, linguistic, and contextual each providing insights into different aspects of
news creation and consumption.

This article aims to apply van Dijk's dimensional model to a specific news story on climate
change, titled "Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide." This hypothetical
news article discusses the impact of climate change on coastal cities, emphasizing recent
flooding events, scientific data on sea-level rise, and policy responses. By employing van
Dijk’s model, we will explore how this news story is constructed and how it may be interpreted
by its audience. This analysis will reveal the intricate dynamics at play in news discourse and
highlight the importance of a multidimensional approach in media analysis.

Through this application, we aim to demonstrate the practical utility of van Dijk’s dimensional
model in dissecting news stories, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the factors that
shape media narratives. Ultimately, this analysis will enhance our critical engagement with
news media and contribute to a more informed and reflective society.

Theoretical Review

Teun A. van Dijk's dimensional model of news discourse offers a comprehensive theoretical
framework for analyzing how news is produced, structured, and interpreted. The model breaks
down news discourse into five key dimensions: cognitive, social, communicative, linguistic,
and contextual. Each dimension provides a unique lens through which to examine the
complexities of news stories.
The cognitive dimension focuses on the mental processes of journalists and readers. This
involves cognitive schemas and mental models that influence how news is constructed and
understood. As van Dijk (1988) explains, "Cognitive structures and processes form the basis
for the selection, organization, and interpretation of information in discourse" (p. 30).
Journalists rely on established cognitive frameworks to select and organize information, while
readers use their prior knowledge and beliefs to interpret the news. This dimension helps us
understand the internal mechanisms that shape news narratives and audience reception.

The social dimension examines the influence of social structures, norms, and power relations
on news discourse. It considers how societal values and ideologies impact the production and
interpretation of news. According to van Dijk (1993), "Media discourse is a prominent site for
the articulation and reproduction of ideologies" (p. 258). This dimension reveals the role of
media in reflecting and reinforcing societal power dynamics, highlighting how news can both
shape and be shaped by social forces.

The communicative dimension addresses the interaction between journalists and their
audience. It involves analyzing the roles, intentions, and strategies used in the communication
process. By studying this dimension, we can uncover how news stories are crafted to engage,
inform, and persuade the audience. Van Dijk (1985) notes that "The interaction between text
and reader is a crucial aspect of news discourse, involving strategies of presentation and
interpretation" (p. 11). This includes examining the use of direct quotes, emotional appeals, and
other rhetorical strategies that enhance the effectiveness of news communication.

The linguistic dimension focuses on the language and style used in news texts. This includes
the choice of words, sentence structures, and rhetorical devices. Language plays a crucial role
in framing news stories and influencing audience perception. Van Dijk (1988) asserts, "The
linguistic structures of news discourse are closely tied to the broader ideological and social
context" (p. 85). By analyzing the linguistic dimension, we can understand how specific
language choices shape the meaning and impact of news.

The contextual dimension emphasizes the importance of situational and historical context in
news discourse. It examines how the immediate and broader context, including cultural,
political, and economic factors, influence the framing and interpretation of news. Contextual
analysis is essential for understanding the relevance and framing of news stories, as it situates
them within a specific temporal and socio-political environment. Van Dijk (2008) points out
that "Context models are crucial for understanding how news is adapted to specific situations
and audiences" (p. 79).

Van Dijk’s dimensional model has been widely applied in media studies to analyze various
types of news discourse. For example, researchers have used it to explore how cognitive
schemas influence news framing in different cultural contexts, how social power relations are
reflected in media coverage of marginalized groups, and how linguistic choices shape public
perception of controversial issues. The model's multidimensional approach provides a
comprehensive understanding of news as a complex social phenomenon, highlighting the
interplay between mental frameworks, societal influences, communication strategies, language
use, and context. This theoretical review underscores the model's utility in media analysis,
paving the way for its application in analyzing a specific news story on climate change.
Research Question

How does the application of Teun A. van Dijk's dimensional model of news discourse enhance
our understanding of a specific news story on climate change, titled "Rising Sea Levels
Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide," by dissecting its cognitive, social, communicative,
linguistic, and contextual dimensions?

Research Method

To address the research question, a qualitative content analysis approach will be employed.
This method involves systematically examining and interpreting the content of the news article
"Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide" through the lens of Teun A. van Dijk's
dimensional model of news discourse.

First, the news article will be selected and carefully reviewed to ensure its relevance to the
research question. Next, the article will be analyzed iteratively, with a focus on identifying
elements related to each dimension of van Dijk's model: cognitive, social, communicative,
linguistic, and contextual.

For the cognitive dimension, attention will be paid to the underlying mental frameworks
guiding both the journalists' construction of the news story and the readers' interpretation of it.
This will involve identifying cognitive schemas and mental models evident in the article's
content.

The social dimension will involve examining how societal values, ideologies, and power
dynamics are reflected in the news discourse. This analysis will consider the portrayal of
various social actors, such as scientists, policymakers, and impacted communities, and their
roles within the narrative.

The communicative dimension analysis will focus on the strategies employed by journalists to
engage, inform, and persuade the audience. This will include identifying rhetorical devices,
communicative intentions, and the interaction between text and reader.

In the linguistic dimension analysis, close attention will be paid to the language and style used
in the news article. This will involve examining word choice, sentence structures, and other
linguistic features to understand how they contribute to the framing of the climate change issue.

Finally, the contextual dimension analysis will consider the situational and historical context
in which the news article is situated. This will involve exploring the broader socio-political,
cultural, and environmental factors that influence the framing and interpretation of the climate
change narrative.

Throughout the research process, findings will be documented and interpreted to provide
insights into how the application of van Dijk's dimensional model enhances our understanding
of the news discourse on climate change.

Result and Discussion

The analysis of the news article "Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide"
through the lens of Teun A. van Dijk's dimensional model of news discourse reveals several
key findings across the cognitive, social, communicative, linguistic, and contextual
dimensions.

In the cognitive dimension, it was observed that the journalists relied on established cognitive
schemas related to climate change, framing the issue within the context of environmental
degradation and the threat to coastal communities. Readers' interpretation of the news was
influenced by their prior knowledge and beliefs about climate change, with those already
concerned about environmental issues perceiving the news as a call to action.

The social dimension analysis highlighted the portrayal of societal concerns about climate
change and the vulnerability of coastal cities. The news discourse reflected and amplified
societal anxieties, emphasizing the need for collective action and policy responses to address
the issue. Additionally, power relations were evident in the representation of various social
actors, such as scientists providing authoritative insights and policymakers proposing solutions.

In terms of the communicative dimension, the analysis revealed several strategies used by
journalists to engage the audience and convey the urgency of the climate change issue. This
included the use of vivid descriptions of flooding events to evoke emotional responses, as well
as statistics and expert opinions to provide factual support for the argument. The interaction
between text and reader was crucial in shaping audience perceptions and responses to the news.

In the linguistic dimension, language choices were found to play a significant role in framing
the climate change narrative. Terms such as "devastating floods," "urgent action," and
"scientific consensus" framed the issue as a pressing global concern requiring immediate
attention. Additionally, the use of technical terminology like "sea-level rise" added scientific
credibility to the news discourse.

Finally, the contextual dimension analysis revealed the influence of situational and historical
factors on the framing and interpretation of the news. Recent extreme weather events and
ongoing political debates about climate policy provided a timely context for discussing the
impact of climate change on coastal cities. Historical data on sea-level rise and past climate
agreements contextualized the current events within a broader temporal framework,
highlighting the long-term implications of climate change.

Overall, the application of van Dijk's dimensional model provided a comprehensive

understanding of the news discourse on climate change. By dissecting the cognitive, social,
communicative, linguistic, and contextual dimensions, this analysis enhanced our
comprehension of how news stories are constructed and interpreted. It underscored the complex
interplay between mental frameworks, societal influences, communication strategies, language
use, and context in shaping news narratives. These insights contribute to a deeper
understanding of the role of media in shaping public perceptions and discourse on critical issues
like climate change.

Conclusion

The analysis of the news article "Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide"
through the application of Teun A. van Dijk's dimensional model of news discourse provides
valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of news production and interpretation,
particularly in the context of climate change discourse.
By dissecting the cognitive, social, communicative, linguistic, and contextual dimensions of
the news discourse, this study has revealed the intricate dynamics at play in shaping the climate
change narrative. The findings underscore the importance of considering multiple dimensions
when analyzing news content, as each dimension contributes uniquely to the overall meaning
and impact of the discourse.

The application of van Dijk's model has enhanced our understanding of how journalists
construct news stories and how readers interpret them. It has shed light on the underlying
cognitive frameworks that guide news production and audience reception, the societal values
and power dynamics that shape news narratives, the communicative strategies used to engage
and persuade the audience, the linguistic choices that frame the issue, and the situational and
historical contexts that influence the framing and interpretation of the news.

Overall, this analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of media in shaping
public perceptions and discourse on climate change. By critically examining the news discourse
through the lens of van Dijk's model, we gain insights into the complexities of news production
and consumption, ultimately fostering a more informed and reflective engagement with news
media.

Moving forward, further research utilizing van Dijk's dimensional model could explore
additional news stories on climate change or other critical issues, providing a deeper
understanding of how news discourse is constructed and interpreted across different contexts
and media platforms. By continuing to apply rigorous analytical frameworks like van Dijk's
model, we can advance our understanding of the role of media in shaping public discourse and
contribute to informed decision-making and societal change.
References

- Van Dijk, T. A. (1985). Handbook of Discourse Analysis. Academic Press.

- Van Dijk, T. A. (1988). News as Discourse. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Van Dijk, T. A. (1993). Elite Discourse and Racism. SAGE Publications.
- Van Dijk, T. A. (2008). Discourse and Context: A Sociocognitive Approach”. Cambridge
University Press.
Appendix

Excerpt from the News Article

[Excerpt from "Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide"]

"The recent surge in devastating floods along coastal cities worldwide has reignited concerns
over the impending threat of climate change. Scientists warn that rising sea levels, exacerbated
by global warming, pose a significant risk to coastal communities, with projections indicating
a further increase in frequency and intensity of flooding events in the coming years.

According to Dr. Smith, a leading climate scientist, 'The evidence is clear: sea levels are rising
at an alarming rate due to human-induced climate change. If we do not take urgent action to
reduce carbon emissions and implement sustainable practices, coastal cities around the world
will face unprecedented challenges.'

Policy responses to address the issue have been mixed, with some governments implementing
measures to mitigate the impact of sea-level rise, while others remain skeptical of the scientific
consensus on climate change. However, experts stress the importance of collective action and
international cooperation in tackling this global crisis.

In the face of mounting challenges, coastal communities are already feeling the effects of rising
sea levels, with infrastructure damage and displacement becoming increasingly common.
Urgent action is needed to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate the long-term
consequences of climate change on coastal cities worldwide."

This excerpt provides a glimpse into the content and framing of the news article analyzed in
this study. It highlights key themes related to climate change, including the scientific evidence,
policy responses, and impacts on coastal communities.