Election pressure sharpens political satire on Svenska Nyheter

Swedish satirical programme Svenska Nyheter is closely following the election campaign and politicians’ statements as the election approaches, SVT reports. The programme’s team says domestic politics has taken on greater tension.

“There is extra pressure and tension in all domestic politics,” said Richard Ekman, the programme’s script editor.

Political satire uses humour to mock those in power and comment on current news events. Programme host Messiah Hallberg said the format can point out what others may avoid saying.

“If the emperor is naked, we can say so,” Hallberg said.

Ekman said satire allows the programme to state things directly that political commentator Mats Knutson cannot say, which viewers may find liberating. Hallberg said audiences may appreciate having someone on television put into words thoughts they themselves have had.

Some jokes and parodies can become so widely shared that they reach a larger audience than the news event itself, SVT reports.