Satire and Political Life in Canada - Essay Example

Politics and Satire: the Merger Introduction Politics is viewed by many as a manifestation of democracy that are lucky enough to live through it. It has been adopted by numerous nations across the globe in a quest to establish a fair platform for governance. In a country such as Canada that can be cited as a demonstration of utter democracy, politics has also garnered accolades that make more than just normal politics. The freedom that comes with a democracy such as this creates room for many individuals to express their own thought on governance issues. One of the notable upshots, and one that this paper will delve into, is political satire in Canada (Lofaro, 2014). Politics is a practise that has been practised for a long time in Canada, though it has incessantly evolved. Satire has been in practise for even longer, dating back centuries. However, the relationship between the two is more recent as the ‘freedom of expression’ has continually become more adhered to by the authorities. It can also be said that the accessibility of effective communication channels to the people has also made the relationship even stronger. Satire and politics have hence of late formed a bond that has got many understanding one through the other (Fisher, 2013). The Case of Rob Ford Perhaps the most famous Canadian of 2013, Toronto Mayor Mr. Rob Ford, brought out a new and more advanced context of satire in politics. It is fitting to use this example since many people can identify with it, and consequently understand the extent to which satire and politics are presently entangled. After the mayor admitted to using drugs, comedians from all across the country and in specific parts of the world were prompt to pick it up and bend the admission to their favour. In fact, so many picked it up that some audience started viewing Ford as a victim of mockery. It got to a point where people taking drugs got sympathy from a newly formed population with the mind-set that taking is a sickness rather than a crime (CBCNews, 2013). However, a majority of the people found the ‘mockery’ as hilarious and in a way understood politics through this perspective. It is a further emphasis on the burly bond between satire and politics in the current Canadian society. This is an example that most without the knowledge of the bond can use to realize what it is all about. However, it is appropriate to state that there are many more angles that the same relationship can be understood. The fact that views on political matters can be expressed freely means that the ‘limits’ of political satire are limitless. Some of the political satirists claimed that the mayor actually played the role of making politics funny by making sentiments that needed little additions to be hilarious to most. The adaption of Ford’s case by the American press made the story a world headline, which shed a lot of light on the case (CTVNews, 2013 see also Waxman, 2013). Mr. Ford also made the story funnier than most satirist could achieve. Satire on Viewer’s Opinion and on Canadian Media Landscape Why Satire The question many may want an answer to is why satire has formed a very burly relationship with politics in a way that no other genre has. What is more alarming is that the two were not closely linked before the media coupled the two. Politics is more of a serious matter aimed at finding tentative solutions for governance issues. Satire on the other hand has been extensively been utilised in the literature domain to spark humour. It was hence somewhat inconceivable that the two practises would merge to bring about the impact that has been witnessed in the media. Similar trends have also been witnessed in other democratic nations where politics is also the order of the day (Houpt, 2012). The United States is an apt example. The commonly cited reason as to why satire had to be linked with politics is that it was for the same reason it was introduced in literature; to bring humour. Politics is a fundamental part of Canadian society today, but it tends to be frustrating in most cases. The introduction of satire into the practise means that this frustration is eased significantly. Satire brings back interest from the public that would otherwise be disinterested in politics. This is how satire affects the opinion of many Canadians that have become accustomed to perceiving politics through the lenses of humour. The Canadian Media Landscape The media has had a lot to do with the adoption of satire into politics. In fact, most of this has been propagated by the media in a quest to keep the public interested in politics. People had previously realised that the system that was taken up to nurture democracy and development was continually becoming ineffective if not acting against them. In many ways, people giving up on the political system would be detrimental since it is the only system in place to defend such individuals at the time, and also one that is generally accepted by most world nations. In a capitalist nation, it is likely that the main reason that the core reason as to why the media coined the linked between the two practises is because of economic benefits but this also brought other unforeseen benefits. It is intricate to find a media channel that does not use satire to discuss the topic of politics. The media landscape has been profoundly impacted by the ‘merger’ in a way that most rejoice. Satire is a very influential tool in any context, its use in politics has attracted a huge audience that consists of a significant population that was not particularly interested in politics. A larger audience means that there is more for the media owners to collect. The media today has structured itself in a way to utilize satire maximally in matters of politics to rip as much as possible from the audience; it is a capitalist country this (NewsWire, 2009). Independent satirist also take advantage where possible to what they can. General Application of Satire into Politics From a general point of view, a new perception can be understood about the merger between the two practises. A perception that helps understand why all the factors discussed above take root as they do. The concept of satire in politics is based on the objective of making the audience to laugh, and think simultaneously. The fact that politics has become funny does not necessarily mean that it has dropped the role it is in place to play. If one takes time to deliberate about it, it is certain that there is a precise understanding that one will hold towards the political matter in question, which means that one is empowered to think (Tremonti, 2013). Neurologists refer to this as dual processing. There is a gap between reality and fantasy in politics that satires strives to fill, and in so doing hits two birds with one stone. The members of the audience may not comprehend this conception, but it is there to fill the gap and not to primarily be understood by the audience. Understanding it may mean that the intended outcome is not achieved. Individuals that make up the audience of satire in politics are vulnerable and open to delight. Most of them seek the delight, not the political analysis. But the media has found a way to fuse the two so that they disseminate them together to the delight of both groups of audience; those for politics and the others for delight (Tremonti, 2013). A media personnel in charge of the new genre of politics has to take on the character of the politicians or bring up ideas on a political issue that is appealing in a humorous manner to the audience. It is an art that many have acquired as the new form of politics takes root in Canadian society. For instance, the case of Ron Ford was constantly reviewed in such media efforts to instil humour into politics. It actually garnered a lot of audience of whom most were attracted by the satire, and not the political scuffle that resulted (CTVNews, 2011). The gaps that exist between the serious political issues is where satirists find room to instil the humorous bit of politics (Tremonti, 2013). If politics were a commercial product, what satirists make of it is what can be regarded as the advert. The advert is made is a very appealing manner and tell a lot of information regarding the product, although in an exaggerated manner. This is equally what satirists do with politics, offer critical insights into political matters but in an exaggerated manner. The outcome is that politics becomes appealing to the people around it. Summary The distortion of the previously earnest political scene into one with more humour is proving to play an influential role in the perception of the audience towards politics. It has also reshaped the Canadian media landscape, particularly those who focus on politics and news. Reference List CBCNews. (2013, November 17). Rob Ford spoofed on Saturday Night Live. Retrieved from CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/story/1.2429716 CTVNews. (2011, May 01). The Party takes a satirical look at Canadian politics. Retrieved from CTV News: http://www.ctvnews.ca/the-party-takes-a-satirical-look-at-canadian-politics-1.637581 CTVNews. (2013, November 14). Charlie Sheen offers Rob Ford his steady hand following phoney report. Retrieved from CTV News: http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/charlie-sheen-offers-rob-ford-his-steady-hand-following-phoney-report-1.1543695 Fisher, M. (2013, November 06). Canadian regime roiled by provincial scandal, sparking fears of instability. Retrieved from The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/11/06/canadian-regime-roiled-by-provincial-scandal-sparking-fears-of-instability/ Houpt, S. (2012, August 23). When satire shows go off the air, do Canadian voters tune out? Retrieved from The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/when-satire-shows-go-off-the-air-do-canadian-voters-tune-out/article4192327/ Lofaro, T. (2014, January 13). Ripe for political satire. Retrieved from The Vancover Sun: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Ripe+political+satire/9379625/story.html NewsWire. (2009, November 9). Media Advisory - Canadas newest political satire site is opening its doors and asking Canadians to open their wallets. Retrieved from News Wire: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1068223/media-advisory-canada-s-newest-political-satire-site-is-opening-its-doors-and-asking-canadians-to-open-their-wallets Tremonti, A. M. (2013, December 23). Canadian Political Satire in the Age of Rob Ford. Retrieved from CBC Radio: http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2013/12/23/canadian-political-satire-in-the-age-of-rob-ford/ Waxman, O. B. (2013, November 19). The Top 5 Best Rob Ford Parodies. Retrieved from The Time: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/11/19/the-top-5-best-rob-ford-parodies/ Read More