Laugh Labs and Their Treatment: Analysis of the Satirical Language of Leading Infotainment Programs of Pakistani News Channels

This study attempts to explore different kinds of jokes that are cracked in the leading infotainment programs of Pakistani news channels. Benign Violation Theory provides conceptual roots for the study which describes jokes as a benign violation of something. The systematic sampling technique is used to draw a sample from the infotainment programs that include Khabarnaak, Khabardar, Hasb-e-Haal, Syasi Theater, Sawa Teen, and Mazaaq Raat. Content Analysis is the method by with the data is coded into categories formulated by both deductive and inductive approaches. The results show that the frequency of using dark humor in the satirical language differs within and between the groups. Moreover, Khabarnaak cracked more jokes that were dark. On the other hand, Mazaaq Raat cracked the least dark jokes in its programs as compared to the other four leading infotainment programs of Pakistani news channels. The study also helps to find the reasons behind sending advice notices to all the broadcast stations of Pakistan by PEMRA to put a check on the content of these programs