In the past few years, while the amount of media to be consumed has increased, the patience of the millennial generation— media's main consumer— has decreased. Simultaneously, the importance of being and becoming aware is growing. Gone are the days when ignorance was bliss, where one could get by without knowing enough about the events transpiring around the country.
Over the past few decades, our media companies have come a long way in becoming a platform for the propagation of news, opinions, and pop culture. They have singlehandedly ensured through their television channels, newspapers and magazines that we have stayed aware and understand how the events around us could affect us. However, over the past few years since Donald Trump's election, there has been a growth in us consuming our news through late night comedy shows and political satire.
More and more people, especially millennials, have come to regard political satire outlets as their main outlet for news, and this has caused a new set of problems. While comedians that use political satire may be researched in the matters they are talking about, they aren't the experts. They often ignore pressing issues, instead, preferring the issues that can make their audience laugh— this isn't their fault, it's their job. The line between journalism and satire is a fine one that must be kept in mind.
However, the blame cannot fall exclusively on millennials, the late-night shows simply do what they do best: connect with their audience. Our traditional news outlets has failed in this exact capacity— the millennial generation feels disconnected and not entertained, especially with the evolving standards of keeping the news short and simple. Political satire outlets may have their problems, but they come with their own set of advantages as well.
In a time of falling patience and concentration levels, they have mastered the ability to capture an audience. They have learned the art of provoking people and making them question their opinions and beliefs. The solution seems to be in the attempt at forming a new type of political journalism—one that includes satire, and this form is being widely accepted by audiences in comparison to the fact-loaded long articles seen in traditional news structures.
While traditional reporting outlets aren't the solution to creating mass awareness, political satire programs aren't either. Comedians have mastered the art of covering Trump, and this is a skill they must share with their counterparts in the news. Traditional news stations must start making satire a part of their programs, not completely, but only in part. They must start making their articles and magazines more humorous and engaging while sticking to the truth.
Political shows, on the other hand, must come to understand their responsibility as providers of news and must learn to cover issues that are important, not just what makes people laugh. The balance between traditional news outlets and these newly founded political satire outlets are what our generation and the new ones need in order to stay informed.
