Critical discourse analysis in political communication research: a case study of right-wing populist discourse in Australia

The purpose of this paper is to showcase critical discourse analysis (CDA) in political communication research through an empirical case study of right-wing populist discourse in Australia. It is argued here that critical discourse analysis is a valuable resource for the field of political communication for understanding an increasingly complex media and communication environment. The article serves as a worked example for communication scholars looking to apply critical discourse analysis in a political context. As such, it provides a detailed overview of the theoretical underpinnings of critical discourse analysis, its significant approaches and their shared tenets. The case study of Australian Senator Pauline Hanson’s 2016 maiden speech provides a step-by-step account of the processes involved in conducting a critical discourse analysis, including the strengths and limitations of this approach. The paper contributes to the growing calls within the field for a deeper engagement with qualitative and critical approaches.