Makna dibalik Pesan “Guru” pada Pidato Menteri Agama: Studi Analisis Wacana Kritis Model Norman Fairclough

Abstract

ABSTRACT The controversy surrounding the Minister of Religious Affairs’ speech about teachers, which went viral on social media, illustrates how fragments of discourse can shift in meaning when reproduced by digital platforms and interpreted by the public. The statement “if you want to make money, don’t become a teacher, become a trader” became the center of criticism and overshadowed other information, such as the 700 percent increase in PPG participants and the rise in allowances. This situation raises questions about how the meaning of “teacher” is constructed within the speech. This study employs a qualitative approach using Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis to examine the construction of language through three dimensions: text, discourse practice, and sociocultural practice. The findings reveal that the speech constructs the figure of a “teacher” as a moral–spiritual entity through religious metaphors and normative diction, reinforcing a separation between spiritual and material orientations. However, when mediated and circulated online, the meaning shifts into a perceived form of disrespect toward teachers, particularly those facing economic challenges. These findings highlight the importance of sensitivity among public communicators when addressing socially sensitive issues, as well as the need for digital discourse literacy to prevent the public from adopting partial or decontextualized interpretations. Keywords: Teacher; Critical discourse analysis; Fairclough; Minister of Religious Affairs’ speech   ABSTRAK Fenomena kontroversi pidato Menteri Agama tentang guru yang viral di media sosial menunjukkan bagaimana potongan wacana dapat mengalami pergeseran makna ketika diproduksi ulang oleh media dan diterima publik dalam ruang digital. Pernyataan “kalau mau cari uang, jangan jadi guru, jadi pedaganglah” menjadi fokus kritik dan menutupi informasi lain seperti peningkatan peserta PPG hingga 700 persen dan kenaikan tunjangan, sehingga menimbulkan pertanyaan mengenai bagaimana makna “guru” dikonstruksi dalam pidato tersebut. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan Analisis Wacana Kritis model Norman Fairclough untuk menelusuri konstruksi bahasa melalui tiga dimensi: teks, praktik wacana, dan praktik sosiokultural. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pidato Menag membangun figur “guru” sebagai entitas moral-spiritual melalui metafora religius dan diksi normatif, sekaligus menegaskan pemisahan antara orientasi spiritual dan material. Namun, ketika wacana dipotong dan disebarkan media, makna tersebut bergeser menjadi bentuk pelecehan terhadap guru, terutama bagi mereka yang menghadapi realitas ekonomi yang sulit. Temuan ini mengindikasikan pentingnya sensitivitas komunikator publik dalam menyampaikan pesan yang menyentuh isu sensitif serta perlunya literasi wacana di ruang digital agar publik tidak terjebak pada pemaknaan parsial. Kata Kunci : Guru; Analisis wacana kritis; Fairclough; Pidato Mentri Agama