Psychological consequences of watching television news channels.

it plays an informational as well as educational role. It helps people to update themself and be aware of the surroundings. Furthermore it keeps them conscious of the society and world in general. 1 Television news particularly provide its audiences 24 hour live coverage with repeated telecasts catering to a large number of audiences. The efforts and dangers taken by reporters to report the updated news are merited widely. 1,2 However, with so many blessings there are some hidden alarming dangers. News channels according to many researchers have changed in their very nature. From the print media to the live telecast much has been altered in the temperament and presentation of the news. 1-3 Sensationalization of news of violence is a debated topic, not to forget that the violence and its frequency of occurrence around the world has also changed and hence increased reporting of it becoming more of a challenge. 2 It may be astounding to know that television which was always thought to be an entertainer and relaxing partner has now become a reason for many negative psychological effects. 2,3 In a country like Pakistan which is going through a lot of political turmoil, terrorist's attacks and other serious problems, news channels are considered to be the most frequently watched channel in majority of the households. 4,5 Though there is no second opinion on the fact that it provides the most updated information to populace within no time with live coverage and fine graphical presentation, it does carry many veiled disadvantages. 6 Seeing live events of violence and actual deaths of victims inonès living room leads to an urgency and personal involvement to events that may cause psychological disturbance. 1 Live coverage of attacks, speculation about their causes, repeated review of events, and implication of future such attacks have become a normal routine tasks of the news channels. While the live extensive coverage and risk taken are merited widely, the stress caused by such coverage is a novel bi-product which has not been studied extensively. 1 Literature also revealed that viewers experience a sad mood and anxiety after watching any negative news, 2,6-8 however the feelings are momentary but a person can correlate such experiences with events in one's own life. 1 People are more attracted to negative news than positive news. According to statistics revealed by news channels, sensational news sell more than any other news segment. …