Euphemisms in Foreign News Media Covering Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election

Abstract

This study examines the use of euphemisms in the foreign news media coverage of the 2024 Indonesian presidential election, concentrating on their types and functions. The study used a qualitative research method to analyse data collected from nine articles published on the official website of CNN, BBC, and CNA. Using Warren's (1992) framework for euphemism classification and Burridge's (2012) framework for defining euphemism functions, the study finds 30 euphemisms in the form of words and phrases. These euphemisms are divided into eight categories: compounding, particularization, implication, loanwords, understatement, overstatement, metaphor, and metonymy. They perform four primary functions: protective, underhand, uplifting, and provocative euphemism. The findings show that understatement is the most commonly used type, implying that foreign news media frequently use euphemisms to soften the tone of their reports. Furthermore, protective euphemisms are the most common function, implying that foreign media uses these terms to avoid offence, protect their audience, and reduce conflict while discussing Indonesian political topics. This study highlights how international media uses euphemisms to affect political discourse and influence audience perception of the election.