Abstract:
This study evaluated popular Pakistani television news channels through the viewer's perceptions. Adopting the Uses and Gratification Theory, the study used the following parameters to evaluate the TV News Channels: demographic, surveillance, personal identity, diversion, news provision, credibility & ethics, journalistic objectivity, and professionalism. Data from 400 people of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, age 35 and above was collected conveniently through a structured questionnaire comprising 31 items. Major results of the study were that Pakistani viewers were watching television news channels for gratifying their political, religious and entertainment needs. The study found that ARY and Geo News are the favorite television news channels in Pakistan. Since the viewer's exposure to TV news channels was rare, therefore, it concluded that there is desensitization among the Pakistani viewers
