September 4, 2018

NEWS IS A JOKE: A3 – Reflection 2

Reading Reflection

The week 6 reading, an extract from the book ‘The State of Satire, the Satire of the State’ from ‘Satire TV: Politics and Comedy in the Post-Network Era’, to no surprise, discussed the state of satire and its relationship with news and politics. The book highlights the power of satire in politics, and how it can be used as a tool in persuading, arguing and shifting the views of many. The extract draws on the ability satire has to grasp the attention of audiences and I’ve noticed, because of its wittiness and smartness, satire has grown to be widely popular in the last 10-15 years as we as a society become more aware of the faults in our political system. The gradual increase in exposing and revealing of government flaws has lead many comedy news presenters using satire to educate audiences on politics and social issues. Whilst reading the extract, I found that I was often nodding along, as I couldn’t help but agree with everything they were saying. It’s clearly evident in media in recent years that satire ‘has proven a powerful draw for audiences’, it does not simply dumb down content, but makes it more accessible and enjoyable for audiences. I think Stephen Colbert can certainly be seen as the connecting character between the political world and civilian society. One of my favourite quotes from the reading states that both satire in general and Colbert himself are ‘inspiring public political discussion, and drawing citizens enthusiastically into the realm of the political with deft and dazzling ease’, describing how, because of his more humorous nature and approach to social issues, he has become a more relatable figure who audiences feel they understand more, which leads them to further involvement in understanding and discussing politics.

As well as discussing the relationship between satire and audiences, the extract acknowledges how ‘political humour’ differs from regular humour, in that it doesn’t always aim ‘to be funny in a belly laugh kind of way’. The extract further instigates my own views on satire, and how it is more so used to have audiences question the issue, and become more aware, especially in a political context. Humour’s presence in political journalism is often, and will mostly rely on personal political worldviews, and as the reading states, Stephen Colbert institutes this in his White House Correspondents Association Dinner on April 29, in which he instigated a satiric attack on President (at the time) George W. Bush and the Washington press corps. The speech circulated the Internet widely, as well as being aired across the nation, opening up the audience from not only American civilians, but to a worldwide audience. I believe Colbert’s speech was a step forward in satirical journalism and reporting, being what I (and many others) believe is one of the most remarkable and memorable moments in television broadcasting as it took the sentiments of American civilians, and articulated them in a way that both politicians and citizens could understand.

From the reading, I have gathered the idea that satire is ‘a more effective mouthpiece of the peoples displeasure with those in power’, and that people such as Stephen Colbert, with their wittiness and well-articulated speech, are able to draw in wider audiences as they stand as representatives of the community and their attitudes, values and beliefs. Personally, this was one of my favourite readings we’ve had so far, as there was not a single contention or point I didn’t agree with, it validated my beliefs with factual evidence and overall was a well-written piece.

Referencing:

Gray, Jonathan, Jeffrey P. Jones, and Ethan Thompson. “The State of Satire, the Satire of the State” in Satire TV: Politics and Comedy in the Post-Network Era. Edited by Gray, Jones and Thompson. NYU Press, 2009, pp. 3-36.

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