How Satirical News Impacts Affective Responses, Learning, and Persuasion: A Three-Level Random-Effects Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Satirical news blends entertainment with information and opinion. Satire can thus impact various audience responses, such as positive and negative affect, learning, and persuasion. However, the presence and size of these communicative effects have been debated. We conducted a three-level random-effects meta-analysis on the impact of satirical news ( k = 70, Ntotal = 22,969). We compared satirical news to two reference categories: (1) control messages with no or irrelevant information, and (2) regular news with similar informational content. Results demonstrate that satirical (vs. regular) news increased positive affective responses and message discounting. By contrast, satire increased learning compared to control messages, but not compared to regular news. We find limited evidence for a positive main effect of satire on persuasion. However, we find different moderating effects, indicating that persuasion effects are stronger for Republicans (vs. other voters), student (vs. general-population) samples, TV satire (vs. online and print satire), and for satire targeting social actors.

Artificial Intelligence for the Generation of Satirical Articles - An Exploratory Approach

“…At a basic level, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, satire means "a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn" (Merriam-Webster, n.d) or "trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly" (Merriam-Webster, n.d). As Burgers and Brugman (2021) point out, satire is a phenomenon that can be found in multiple areas of activity and can be expressed through many media channels, such as TV series, films, literature, video games, visual art, and news. Satirical news itself diversifies into different forms such as television, print, and online media.…”

Satire without borders: the age-moderated effect of one-sided versus two-sided satire on hedonic experiences and patriotism

“…Age is an important factor to consider as satire is particularly popular among youth. Although many satire studies were conducted with student samples ( Burgers and Brugman 2022 ), specific theory about what makes youth a special audience often remained undiscussed. Moreover, conclusions have been mixed whether satire is particularly influential among the youth.…”

“…Moreover, conclusions have been mixed whether satire is particularly influential among the youth. Some argue that found effects might just be a side-effect of these young audiences being more highly educated among student samples ( Burgers and Brugman 2022 ) rather than their (younger) age. Skurka et al.…”

“…However, it is also true that this in-group is only confronted with criticism of their own identity within the two-sided satire. When combined with the persuasive power of satire ( Burgers and Brugman 2022 ), this could work to weaken one’s self-perception. Thus, manifesting as relatively weaker patriotism.…”

An Analysis of Television Satire on Kiky Saputri’s Roasting in Lapor Pak!

“…However, it should be noted that for satire to be most successful, the audience needs at least to have a basic understanding of the larger context of the critique(s) and the target (Caufield, 2008). Furthermore, satire can influence various audience responses, including learning, persuasion, and both good and negative affect (Burgers & Brugman, 2022). In light of this, it is also essential that the audience understand the wider context of the satire presented by Kiky Saputri to Anies Baswedan.…”