Discursive structures and power relations in Covid-19 knowledge production

Abstract This article critically examines the discourse around Covid-19 pandemic to investigate widespread polarisation evident in social media debates. The model of epidemic psychology holds that initial adverse reactions a new disease spread through linguistic interaction. main argument is mediation has fomented effects reaction by providing continued access commentary and interaction absence any knowledge on can be seen as production, conducted largely media. view, coupled with critical approach power relations inherent all processes provides an understanding dynamics polarisation, which is, arguably, issue-related not along common ideological lines left right. paper critiques two discursive structures exclusion, terms science conspiracy theory , have characterised production As strategies dialogic contraction, they are based hegemonic view simplistic assumption emancipated position outside ideology. Such approach, though well-intentioned, may ultimately undermine movements thus threaten very values it aims protect. Instead, proposes Foucauldian problematises truth claims scientificity always aware production.