This study examines the perceived harmful effects of political TV talk shows on self and others using a probability sample of 1,980 in Taiwan. Findings indicate that the respondents perceive political TV talk shows to have a greater negative influence on others than on themselves. Findings further show that perceived desirability of TV talk shows is a significant predictor of third-person perception. More importantly, this study shows that attention to political news and
political efficacy are significant predictors of perceived effects on self and others and support for restriction of political TV talk shows. This study contributes to the third-person effect research by demonstrating that both perceived effect on self and perceived effect on others are significant predictors of support for restriction
of political TV talk shows.