Attitudinal Stance towards COVID-19 Pandemic: An appraisal analysis of the Jakarta Post editorials

This study examines the attitudinal stance of The Jakarta Post editorials about COVID-19 by applying Martin and White's appraisal system. The analysis of fifty editorial texts indicated that 70 % of negative assessments towards the government exceeded the positive ones. The illustrative judgment realisations for negative assessments are depicted by condemning government behaviour due to the government's failure in public communication, inconsistency in social distancing regulation, prioritisation of the economy over health, and mismanagement of social aid. The study suggests that the Indonesian government may learn from the negative judgments and cope with the uncertainties for projecting future COVID-19 risks.