The Colbert Report

The role of affirmative action in college admissions has been debated between critics who argue that it provides a fair access to higher education for minorities and critics who argue that it promotes discrimination against white students instead. Despite the numerous amount of court cases that have challenged race-based factors in college admissions, the Supreme Court’s final rulings have always supported affirmative action in education. However, the recent cases of Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin has proposed the Supreme Court to review the possibility of abolishing affirmative action. Thus, this case’s impact on the Supreme Court’ new stance on racial-based admissions has garnered the attention of numerous news outlets that media

The show serves as a program for Comedy Central show’s overall intent is to entertain as opposed to inform its viewers. In addition, the program appeals to viewers who share similar liberal-based opinions that Colbert supports; thus, they serve as the intended audience of the show. In other words, the program’s venue does not add to the segment’s ethical appeal. However, the segment’s credibility is still established through Colbert’s research for Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. For example, he refers to specific quotes from Chief Justice, John Roberts and a New York Times article to provide context for his claims. Each of these sources represent an individual’s argument to abolish affirmative action in educational institutions. Thus, Colbert credibility is further established through how he addresses the opposing side as he presents his own opinions Furthermore, his presentation of such quotes also benefits to his credibility. He provides citations and screenshots of the text for the viewers to read and refer to before he states his

After introducing examples of media coverage on Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin and its impact on the fate of affirmative action, Stephen Colbert proceeds to address his disapproval for banning affirmative action by pointing out the flaws of each featured source’s claims. For example, Colbert begins by responding to the idea that affirmative action has “run its course” by sarcastically agreeing with the idea that “discrimination is over” because even news outlets such as CNN “employ all on-air talent from all ethnicities and backgrounds” which is “just Soledad O’Brien.” Colbert disagrees with the ban of affirmative action because discrimination against minorities is still prevalent in today’s society such as the lack of diversity within news media. He also utilizes CNN as an example because Soledad O’Brien is one of the few people of color who work report for the network. Eventually, he states that Fisher “claims that her race was held against her,” thus “forcing” her to attend her “backup school.” Therefore, he notes that in spite of her initial rejection, Fisher still managed to achieve and accept access to higher education regardless of her race. Finally, Colbert responds to Chief Justice John Robert’s argument that citizens should “stop discriminating on the basis of