Bahasa Tokoh Hukum dalam Ruang Publik Digital: Analisis Wacana terhadap Konstruksi Kewenangan dan Kritik Hukum

Abstract

This study examines the use of language by legal figures in digital public spaces as a form of discourse that constructs authority and articulates criticism of legal practices. In the contemporary digital era, statements made by legal figures through social media are not merely personal opinions, but also function as symbolic instruments that shape public perceptions of law, power, and legitimacy. Using a critical discourse analysis approach, this research analyzes selected statements of Indonesian legal figures published on social media platforms such as Twitter (X) and Instagram, The figures chosen were Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, and Todung Mulya Lubis. The findings indicate that the language employed by legal figures reflects varying strategies of authority construction, including the use of formal, informal, and imperative expressions to legitimize power, criticize legal institutions, and frame legal norms in the public sphere. The study concludes that language plays a crucial role in mediating legal authority and public legal consciousness in digital spaces, thereby influencing democratic discourse and the practice of law.