MEDIA ROOTS– As the mainstream media failed abysmally in their role as public watchdogs during the Bush administration, the Daily Show and Colbert Report, although comedy based, seemed like two of the last bastions of a semi fourth estate.
Although their shows still propped up the establishment, Stewart didn’t hold back on calling out Republican rhetoric and hypocrisy. Now, despite a few joking jabs about the Obama administration, Jon Stewart’s overall performance and critique of government since Obama got elected has been disappointing at best.
On the night of Barack Obama’s inauguration, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart actually cried tears of joy during a live broadcast of the Daily Show. After that, I didn’t have much hope for the show to maintain the same ingenuity and credibility.
However, Stewart has been making some scathing criticisms leveled towards Obama lately that have been on point (can’t say the same for Colbert after he went all Army on us and shaved his head for the troops).
The most recent critique was on last night’s show pointing out how ridiculous it is for Obama to win an award for “transparency” while at the same time shrouding the acceptance of the award in secrecy. Stewart also accurately points out that Obama has gone after whistle blowers more aggressively than any President since Nixon.
Abby
Photo by flikr user Joint Chief of Staff
