GENDERED DISCOURSE IN PAKISTANI TALK SHOWS: A PUBLIC SPHERE PERSPECTIVE OF FEMALE MARGINALIZATION

Abstract

The paper examines female marginalization in selected clips of three Pakistani  talk shows : Mazak Raat (2020), G Sarkar (2021) and The Late Late Show (2023) through the lens of  Habermas’s public sphere theory. Using conversation analysis (CA) and  feminist critical discourse analysis (FCDA), the research uncovers the discursive mechanisms that reinforce gender inequalities in talk show interactions. The comparison between talk shows and the public sphere highlights  power imbalances, challenging their perception as open and democratic spaces of debate and deliberation. It is argued that Pakistani talk shows reflect the bourgeoise public sphere by marginalizing  women through the blurring of the public/private boundaries, exclusionary practices and media control. The findings reveal that female celebrities are subjected to stereotyping, under representation and media manipulation in Pakistani media discourse. The paper calls for greater gender inclusivity in talk shows, emphasizing the need to address the harmful impact of  misrepresenting and diminishing female voices on broadcast media.