Abstract
The study through content analysis examines the extent of anchorperson’s political bias in Pakistani political talk shows. It argues that for political talk shows to be effective spaces for public political discussions, fair and unbiased role of anchorpersons is essential. As a case, anchorpersons treatment towards MQM political participants in the talk shows before local bodies’ elections 2015, was studied. Through random sampling 22 prime-time political talk shows of the leading news channels in which MQM political leaders participated, were selected. To measure bias practices political bias instrument was developed. Political bias of anchorperson was studied through six indicators i.e., the direction of the introduction of political talk shows, ranks of participants, question tone, questions allegation, time given to participants and interruption by anchorperson. The findings show high bias of anchorpersons against MQM participants in prime time political talk shows. Political bias is highest in question design as compared to coverage and content bias.

Farahat Ali, Bushra H. Rahman. (2016) Political Bias in Talk Shows: A Case of MQM in Local Bodies Election 2015, Journal of Media Studies, Volume 33, Issue 1.
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