News You Can’t Use: Jon Stewart’s Daily Show Media Critiques

Abstract

Against the backdrop of continued declining public trust in media, particularly network television news, along with rising ratings and recognition for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, this research examined Stewart’s network television news critiques during presidential election campaigns in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012. The study found an increase in frequency and prominence of critiques over the years and a shift in focus to more undermining criticism of professional practices, raising the question of whether Stewart’s stepped-up criticism may have been at least partly responsible for growing distrust during those years among younger adults, his primary viewing audience.