Power of Political Satire: Does It Influence Viewers to Participate in Politics?

Abstract

Political satire hosts, such as Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah, dominate the airwaves and social discussions, yet there is a lack of academic research studying if what they say has an effect on their viewers. This thesis addresses those gaps in literature concerning late-night satire. A quantitative survey analysis was conducted with 103 respondents. Results supported previous findings that viewers watch political satire to "piggy-back" their knowledge. They are watching for the humor, but to also learn more about politics. The data supports the advancement of mass media theories, including Uses and Gratifications and Agenda-Setting Theory. Additionally, a significant relationship was determined between those who watch satire and those who donate to or volunteer for a campaign. This thesis hopes to add value to academic research concerning political satire.