The price of good satire

[image]

Comedian Jon Stewart may be a demigod in the United States, but popular political satirists don't have it so easy in other countries.

Foreign Policy has put out a list of what it calls "The World's Jon Stewarts," featuring satirists from Brazil to Israel. The upshot? Challenging the government in power may get you Facebook fans, but it can also get you imprisoned, or shot.

Stewart is planning a "Rally to Restore Sanity" on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this Saturday. But will he be able to match Italian satirist Beppe Grillo, who drew 300,000 to the streets back in 2007 to curse the government on what he dubbed "F--k Off Day?"

• After five years, State of the Arts comes to a close
• Park Square’s second stage to open Friday
• Most critics find ‘Romeo and Juliet’ a dreamy delight