Public Perceptions towards Media Coverage of Panama Papers in Pakistan

ASIF ARSHAD, MUHAMMAD RAMZAN, MUHAMMAD ANS, & HINA ADEEB
University of Central Punjab, Pakistan

The study has investigated the role of news channels in portraying Panama Papers in Pakistan. More specifically, it has examined the public perceptions towards coverage of Panama Papers by Pakistani TV channels. A sample size of 400 respondents was drawn from political science, media and communication students, who watch TV channels for collection of data through a questionnaire. Findings revealed that Panama Papers is the most debated topic in Pakistani media. The results showed that Pakistan media has mainly concentrated on the former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his family while reporting Panama issue. Findings also revealed that Pakistani media has been successful in changing the mindset of the people on this issue.

Keywords: Public perceptions, media coverage, Panama, Sharif family, Pakistani media, media bias, TV talk shows.

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Asif Arshad & Muhammad Ans are research scholars in Media and Communication Studies at University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ramzan is the Director of Quality Enhancement Cell at University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Hina Adeeb is an Assistant Professor in Media and Communication Studies at University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.