Comment Mo or Comment Ko: An Analysis of the Message Design Logic used in the Comments on the Issue of Impeachment Case Against Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista
Hi friends!
We hope you are having a lovely day. 😊 Anyways, today’s topic is about the concept of
Message Design Logic developed by Barbara J. O’Keefe. Message Design Logic or
MDL, according to John Caughlin, are “sets of assumptions about how communication
works”. This means that MDL shows how the varying definitions and understandings
of individuals about communication affects the way they create their messages. These messages are then used to accomplish certain
tasks or purposes. In this sense, communication is viewed as a means of
attaining individual’s goals.
O’Keefe
mentioned three types of MDL and they are as follows:
To
elaborate further, we collected some forty recent comments from a Facebook post about a political topic that was posted on September 19, 2017 and we categorized them into the three types of MDLs. We also did a thematic analysis on the said comment section.
In addition to this, we also posted a comment on September 20 in the said comment section using the rhetorical design logic.
Results and interpretation:
As you can see, all of the forty comments are under the expressive design logic. The comments are only about people expressing what their thoughts and feelings without the intention of opening up a meaningful conversation with anyone who will read them. Most are also offensive, pointless and lacks evidence to support the assertions made. One can see that the people are not trying to educate others about the issue. Unfortunately, these people are contented with just attacking others without any justifiable reason.
On the other hand, the thematic analysis of the comments show that the comments revolve around the following:
1. Agreement of people that Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista should be impeached.
2. How people relate Bautista's case with the Dilawan versus Duterte issue. Most of them also said that Bautista needs to be impeached in order for government officials who are “dilawan”, as they like to call them, to be completely removed from office. “Dilawan” is a term given to those who support the Liberal Party and also given, wrongly, to those who are against Duterte’s administration. However, being against Duterte doesn’t necessarily mean you support the Liberal Party.
3. Comments like online networking, sex, issues about Senator Trillanes, and traffic violations that are irrelevant to the topic of the post.
4. Comments that support Bautista in his fight against the accusations thrown at him.
In addition to this, we also posted a comment on September 20 in the said comment section using the rhetorical design logic.
Results and interpretation:
As you can see, all of the forty comments are under the expressive design logic. The comments are only about people expressing what their thoughts and feelings without the intention of opening up a meaningful conversation with anyone who will read them. Most are also offensive, pointless and lacks evidence to support the assertions made. One can see that the people are not trying to educate others about the issue. Unfortunately, these people are contented with just attacking others without any justifiable reason.
1. Agreement of people that Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista should be impeached.
2. How people relate Bautista's case with the Dilawan versus Duterte issue. Most of them also said that Bautista needs to be impeached in order for government officials who are “dilawan”, as they like to call them, to be completely removed from office. “Dilawan” is a term given to those who support the Liberal Party and also given, wrongly, to those who are against Duterte’s administration. However, being against Duterte doesn’t necessarily mean you support the Liberal Party.
3. Comments like online networking, sex, issues about Senator Trillanes, and traffic violations that are irrelevant to the topic of the post.
4. Comments that support Bautista in his fight against the accusations thrown at him.
5. Comments that express people's frustrations on Legislation and Congress.
Conclusion:
Looking back at our example, we can see that people, Filipinos, in particular, are ready to engage in political discussions. Comments on Facebook posts about government issues can amount to hundreds or even thousands.
Reference:
Caughlin, John P. Message Design Logic. PDF. Accessed September 24,
2017. http://twin.sci-
hub.io/fd13dfe61946fe4459e4cac0742ff1f4/caughlin2015.pdf
Conclusion:
Looking back at our example, we can see that people, Filipinos, in particular, are ready to engage in political discussions. Comments on Facebook posts about government issues can amount to hundreds or even thousands.
It means that Filipinos are interested in politics and that can be a very good thing in our country. Unfortunately, some people do not know how to make or do not care about having a meaningful discussion about these issues. Instead, what what they aim for is self-expression only.
Reference:
Caughlin, John P. Message Design Logic. PDF. Accessed September 24,
2017. http://twin.sci-
hub.io/fd13dfe61946fe4459e4cac0742ff1f4/caughlin2015.pdf
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