Colbert Report uses Franklin Center Material to Educate and Entertain
Bismarck, ND December 4-When the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity released its study about phantom congressional districts, news outlets such as CNN, ABC and Fox News reported the findings. We never imagined that Comedy Central would also pick up the story and create a new segment courtesy of the Colbert Report.
“Know Your Made-Up District” premiered Tuesday night on Stephen Colbert’s highly rated cable news satire. The segment, a spin-off of his “Know Your Congressional District,” featured information taken directly from the Franklin Center’s study into the stimulus package’s 440 congressional districts.
“When the Franklin Center launched, Comedy Central was the last place we expected to find our reporter’s stories,” said Franklin Center President Jason Stverak. “Mr. Colbert’s use of our work shows that government inefficiencies can be laughable, as well as worrisome.”
While programs such as the Colbert Report and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart make humor out of headlines, they have become sources of news and information for millions of Americans.
According to a survey conducted by Rasmussen in March 2009, “nearly one-third of Americans under the age of 40 say satirical news-oriented television programs like The Colbert Report and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart are taking the place of traditional news outlets.”
“The American people will decide how they will get information and satirical comedy programs are one method they have chosen,” said Stverak. “If Comedy Central wants to showcase our investigations in an entertaining format, while at the same time educating the public, our goal is accomplished.
Click here to see the Franklin Center report that made headlines from CNN to Colbert.
