This study used Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine online local news articles on COVID-19. Specifically, this study discussed the linguistic features used in news headlines with respect to omission of subjects and auxiliaries, nominalizations, passivization, formation of word order, use of short words, and widespread use of puns and wordplay. This
investigation revealed new terminologies as well as the ideologies present in the news articles.
The COVID-19 news articles were selected from a major local online news portal and put
through a rigorous review process (CDA). The findings revealed that linguistic features such as
the omission of subjects and auxiliary verbs, word order formation, the use of short words, and
puns and wordplay contribute to more engaging and concise new headlines. While the lack of
Nominalization and Passivization characteristics is intended to lead the subject to more direct
and objective treatment. The terms "Community Lockdowns," "RT-PCR test," "LSIs," and "Quarantine" were commonly used to describe the COVID-19 pandemic. The news articles revealed that the government maintains the ideologies of both power and security. Power was
maintained with the use of force and security through confidentiality. Overall, the authors used
precise language to convey their personal perspectives on the subject. It is suggested that a
more in-depth discussion of ideologies be conducted from a global perspective.