A COMPARATIVE DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF FLOOD COVERAGE IN PAKISTANI MEDIA: 2022 AND 2025

Abstract

In this study, an application of Eco-critical Discourse Analysis (EDA) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) will be used to examine the representation of environmental crises by Pakistani media through news stories about floods occurred in 2022 and 2025. Selecting particular English language media sources, the study aims to analyze how Pakistani media connect the concept of floods with climate change and other environmental destructions and issues of responsibility. It also seeks to identify how such issues become possible through media's choice of language. In fact, the study analyzes not only floods as natural events, but also as occasions to discuss various perceptions of victims, nature, and responsibility. Metaphorically, environmentally-focused articles reveal how Pakistani media regularly perceive the concept of nature as a destructive power and as an environmentally vulnerable system affected by humans. While in both 2022 and 2025, human suffering and emergency situations are emphasized, coverage of issues related to climate change and governmental responsibility becomes more prevalent in 2025. Nevertheless, news stories about human tragedies continue to dominate the Pakistani media. Overall, findings of the study illustrate the increased ecological awareness in Pakistani media; however, further analysis should be conducted based on an EDA perspective.