Logo

Do Viewers Learn More From Stephen Colbert Than They Do From TV News?

Jun 3, 2014  •  Post A Comment

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania finds that people who watched Stephen Colbert's Comedy Central show “The Colbert Report” learned more about campaign finance laws during the 2012 presidential cycle than they learned from news on major TV outlets, TVNewser reports.

Watching “The Colbert Report” provided “an extended civics lesson” compared with news channels such as CNN and Fox News, broadcast evening news, newspapers and talk radio, the story notes.

“Colbert did better than any other news source at teaching,” said Bruce W. Hardy, the lead author of the study. “There were two reasons. First was the narrative structure. He walked us through creating a super PAC and every episode was a continuation of that story. And second was the use of humor and satire.”

colbert report-title.jpg

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)