Presentation of Politicians in Comedy TV Shows: Relationship among Public Perception, Education and TV Viewing Behavior

Abstract

The present study aims to explore how Pakistani private channels presented the image of our national politicians in their comedy programs. Such programs influenced the opinion of common man regarding their voting decision. By employing the cultivation theoretical framework, the researcher conducted survey from the residents of Islamabad. It was found that the people who were highly educated, were less influenced by the comedy TV shows however, less educated people were more likely to be influenced by the comic depiction of politicians and formed their opinion accordingly. Likewise, the viewers who spent more time in watching comedy TV shows, their opinion was more affected by the TV content, on the other hand, the less exposure to the TV programs had limited impact on the perception of viewers regarding politicians.