The Power of The Daily Show

Bingchun Meng's article about the power of E Gao in China reminded me of a story with John Stewart and the Daily Show. Because of the high censorship of the internet and media in China, Chinese citizens use E Gao, or satire and puns, in order to convey meanings and share their own political communication within China. But how does this concept work within the US, especially with a "free press" and Internet Freedom?

The Daily Show is not anything new, and in fact Bingchun Meng mentions the show in his article. The popularity of John Stewarts satire about US Politics has caused high ratings and a legitimization of his show. Many friends and colleagues of mine watch the Daily Show not for mere entertainment, but because they view it as a legitimate news source. We even see politicians and other newscasters going on the Daily Show to debate John Stewart and to reach his audience.

What I am interested in, is not the merging of entertainment and news into 'infotainment' but the legitimate power that these types of organizations can exercise. For example, the Daily Show's ability to get public opinion in support of the 9/11 Responders Bill. Being from New York, I am  biased in my support for this Bill, but what was surprising was the lack of coverage this Bill was receiving from all main news outlets. When the measure first came up to Congress for voting in 2010, the Bill was defeated by Republican filibustering. Politics and grandstanding came in the way of support for the firefighters, EMT's, and police officers who were once praised as hero's and patriots.

At this point in time, the Daily Show went from being an entertainment show, to instrumental in the fight for the passage of this Bill. John Stewart called out main news organizations for barely covering what most of the nation saw as a huge letdown of the political system for people that needed it most. From August of 2010 until December of 2010 the Daily Show did more segments on the First Responders Bill than any other main news organization, including interviewing First Responders on his show. (Stewart: First Responders) The Daily Show's interest in the First Responder's Bill even became a news item, when news organizations weren't reporting on the Bill itself! (Eventually, in December, Congress passed the Bill)

Now this can all be chalked up to one person's interest and the power that John Stewart holds over his own show, but the fact that an entertainment show was able to frame the dialogue and shape public opinion about a Bill in the United States, does give credence to the theory that E Gao and other forms of media entertainment are powerful and persuasive.