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PBS Newshour

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 NewsHour is provided by Care.com, Consumer Cellular, and Fidelity. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Mutual of America. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
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Families worry Americans imprisoned by Iran are forgotten
As diplomacy stalls, families worry Americans imprisoned by Iran are forgotten
Clip: S2026 E141 | 6:49
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Hermanos Gutiérrez perform 'Los Ojos del Cóndor'
Hermanos Gutiérrez perform 'Los Ojos del Cóndor' and reveal inspiration for new album
Clip: S2026 E141 | 7:03
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Some Medicare beneficiaries eligible for weight loss drug discounts
Clip: S2026 E141 | 7:13
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Rahm Emanuel on calling for new approach to U.S.-Israel ties
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News Wrap: Olympian pleads not guilty on pool damage charges
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How Trump politicized America's 250th birthday
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News Wrap: Judge orders Carroll to be paid in Trump case
News Wrap: Judge orders $5.8M paid to E. Jean Carroll in Trump sex abuse, defamation case
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