Date of Award
3-28-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Politics and Government: Political Science
First Advisor
Carl Palmer
Abstract
The Colbert Report was a satirical, political, and “fake” news show that lasted for almost a decade on the Comedy Central Network. Although many scholars have argued the program was less impactful and influential than Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, phenomena such as the “Colbert Bump” show a definite impact on the political lives of many Americans. Using four quantitative surveys from 2008 to 2012, this thesis investigates the effects of watching The Colbert Report on individuals’ political knowledge and political participation. Results indicate non-Republican viewers increased their political knowledge, but not participation, from watching the show. The educational effect was more prevalent than The Daily Show and other political news programs. Results indicate a divide based on partisanship regarding how media educates and incentivizes participation in politics.
Recommended Citation
Canfield, Nicholas Anthony, "And That’s the Word: Effects of the Colbert Report on Political Knowledge and Participation" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 748.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/748
DOI
http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2017.Canfield.N
Page Count
80
Comments
Imported from ProQuest Canfield_ilstu_0092N_10990.pdf