Satire+News

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Satire News
(also see Television News Genre)

What is it?
Satire news, or “Fake News" as it is commonly called presents news stories in a format similar to that of major news agencies with the exception that it portrays them in a humorous light. It is through irony and sarcasm that the entertainment aspect of satire news is created. Unlike actual news programs where their intentions are to educate and inform, the intentions of satire news are to entertain first; education second.

Examples of Satire News
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is probably the most recognizable satire show on television. This program, only four days week, mocks the news stories of the day. One of the reasons for the success of the show is the speed at which they get current events into the public eye. The news stories that are presented not only on his show but other shows, such as the Weekend Updates sketch on Saturday Night Live, are current stories that have either happened in that week, in the case of SNL, or events that have taken place the previous day, such as those on the daily show. In this way at least it is more like a conventional television news program.

“Stewart is 1974’s Walter Cronkite. The most trusted man in America. His “Daily Show” on the Comedy Channel is the most consistently funny show on television. It also just might be the most honest news show, fake or real.” (Steve Young of L.A Daily News)

With all the talk of which news station is on which side of the spectrum, satire news programs for the most part, take no sides. With that said, any regular viewer of the Daily Show knows that Jon Stewart is, to say that least, not a fan of President Bush. Nevertheless, his show has become quite popular that is has become a news source for many, usually for the younger crowd.

The internet has greatly helped the genre of satire news. Not because viewers can watch the Daily Show episode that they missed, on YouTube, but because it provides another media. Enter The Onion, a parody newspaper that is published weekly both in print and online. Since the print version of The Onion is only available in certain cities, the online version is the heart of the paper.

The Onion’s online website starting to publish daily news that parodies three regional stories from Parade Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, and the President’s Weekly Radio Address. The Onion publishes both real and fake news in their paper.

No matter whether you are watching it or reading it, satire news has become an important player in the world of news.

Extras
This is an excerpt from the show that pokes fun at the sex scandal that United Stated Congressman Mark Foley is currently associated with:

Links to other Satire News sites and publications

[|http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/satiricalnews/]