The democratic roles of satirists

In the high-choice media landscape, satire has potential to help news and politics break through information apathy barriers reinvigorate democratic debate. While scholarly attention genre of increased, interest in satirists themselves been sparse. Using a theory non-deliberative forms public discourse idea role conceptions, this study presents an analysis interviews with Swedish working broadcasting media. Results showed that being Eye-openers Questioners – meaning providing alternative perspectives problematizing societal norms were primary contributions satire, according satirists. There differing roles take on when it came social bonding solidarity: Unifier, where aim was be bridge-building polarized debate, Divider, main focus inspire critical thinking foster independence from consensus. The elements Reporter, Explainer Solver also introduced discussed.