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PBS News Hour

What political satire can reveal about the strength of a democracy

Season 2026 Episode 141 | 5m 00s

Satire plays a powerful role in challenging authority, exposing hypocrisy and testing the boundaries of free expression. It's among the forces Judy Woodruff explores in the podcast, “In Pursuit of Happiness.” She sat down with The Onion Network’s Joshua Johnson and scholar Sophia McClennen to discuss why the freedom to laugh at those in power can reveal a lot about the strength of a democracy.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
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