The Fight in the Haze: Critical discourse analysis of Indonesian prime-time television talk shows addressing the 2015 Indonesian Haze

Abstract

On March to October 2015, fires raged in six Indonesian provinces in Sumatera and Kalimantan. Massive deforestation ensued, as well as a thick blanket of haze which extended to neighbouring countries. This study attempts to recognize the discursive processes that contribute to the status quo of the annual forest fires in Indonesia and suggests possible interventions instrumental to creating a counter knowledge and praxis. It uses critical discourse analysis to explore the processes of victimhood, blame, and justification in two prime-time talk shows hosted by two influential television channels. Those processes have created a status quo, which results in a little to no action beyond reactive firefighting and law suits. The study ends with a commentary on the forest fires of Merauke, West Papua, which was step-sided throughout the talk shows studied. The case of West Papua is used as a mean to communicate the urgency and continuity of the research for the development of possible multi-level intervention strategy, which is based on critical consciousness and partnership.