Abstract

Pakistani TV news channels have greater viewership than any entertainment channel which shows the political interest of Pakistani citizenry. This study deals with the consumption of TV news channels and its effects on the political participation, political knowledge and civic engagement of youth. Data collected from respondents   (N = 246) of six different universities in two urban cities Islamabad and Lahore, showed that social connectedness and civic engagement of youth influenced the political participation while political knowledge was not affected. TV news channels consumption exhibited positive correlation with the political participation, political knowledge and civic participation as well as likelihood to cast vote. Though, this study did not trace the cause and effect relationship of TV news channels consumption with political participation, political knowledge and civic engagement.

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