Journal of Media Studies, Vol 33, No 1 (2018)

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Political Communication and TV Comedy: Examining the Descriptive Patterns of Political Entertainment on Mainstream TV Channels of Pakistan

Sobia Abid, Muhammad Zahid Bilal

Abstract


Political entertainment shows may have political implications whileentertaining. Political issues, political parties and politicalleadership are discussed in these shows employing differentcomedy frames including satire, humor and comedy. Identificationand classification of entertainment content of these shows, on thebasis of comedy formats, frames, types of issues, different politicalparties and their leadership, could help to understand the patternsof political comedy. Thus, this research examines how politicspresented utilizing different patterns of comedy. Data for the study,using content analysis of 1118 representative segments, come fromthe political comedy shows broadcast on mainstream TV channelsof Pakistan. Findings of the study show that there are more satiricalframes used in these shows as compared to humor and parody.Political issues have been given more coverage as compared tosocial and economic issues; and political parties including PPP,PML-N, PTI remain the target of these shows predominantly.

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