Angela Ayimbire
Department of Language and Communication Science,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,
Kumasi, Ghana.
ORCID ID: 0009-0007-0955-3938
Corresponding Author: Angela Ayimbire, E-mail: angela.ayimbire@knust.edu.gh
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https://doi.org/10.63711/ijdr.aubg.gca-ewca2026.02
ABSTRACT
Political talk shows have become a dominant platform for political discussions and citizen engagement within Ghana’s democratic media landscape. While these programs are often celebrated for enhancing political awareness and deliberation, increasing concerns about media malaise, marked by sensationalism, incivility, negativity, and partisan framing, raise critical questions about their democratic consequences. This study examines the gendered consumption of political talk shows in Ghana and explores how media malaise shapes women’s political engagement. Grounded in Media Malaise Theory, Deliberative Democracy Theory, and Agenda-Setting Theory, the article interrogates whether prevailing media practices contribute to political cynicism, disengagement, and gendered inequalities in political participation. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study combines a content analysis of selected Ghanaian political talk shows with survey data from audiences, alongside in-depth interviews with female viewers/listeners and media practitioners. The content analysis assesses dominant formats, tone, representation, and interactional styles, while the audience data illuminate patterns of exposure, participation, and perception across gender lines. The qualitative interviews provide deeper insights into women’s lived experiences of political talk shows and their implications for political efficacy and engagement. Findings reveal pronounced gender disparities in the consumption and experience of political talk shows. Women report lower levels of exposure and participation compared to men and express heightened sensitivity to hostile, confrontational, and male-dominated discursive environments. Sensationalist and adversarial formats, often characterized by ‘shouting matches’, personal attacks, and partisan bias, were found to disproportionately alienate female audiences, fostering political cynicism and discouraging active engagement in political discussions. Although women acknowledge the informational value of political talk shows, many perceive these programs as exclusionary spaces that marginalize women’s voices and inadequately address issues of concern to women and other marginalized groups. The study argues that media malaise in Ghanaian political talk shows not only undermines the quality of democratic deliberation but also reinforces gendered inequalities in political communication and participation. By privileging combative styles of discourse, political talk shows risk reproducing exclusionary norms that deter women from meaningful political engagement. The article concludes by calling for gender-responsive media practices, more inclusive programming formats, and stronger regulatory and professional standards to promote civility, diversity, and equitable participation in Ghana’s political media environment.
Keywords: Political talk shows, Media malaise, Gender and media, Women’s political engagement, Political communication, Ghana.
Research Area: Political Communication, Gender Studies, Media Studies
Copyright © 2026 The Author(s). This article is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
