These sources exclusively use humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Primarily these sources are clear that they are satire and do not attempt to deceive.  See all Satire sources.

• Overall, we rate The Shovel a Satire website that appropriately disclaims their intentions.

Detailed Report

Country: Australia
World Press Freedom Rank: Australia 18/180

History

Founded in 2010, The Shovel is a satire website based in Australia. According to their about page they state “Ok, let’s be really clear here – most of the stuff on this site is made up. So we’re a bit like The Daily Telegraph or The Daily Mail, just with slightly longer words.

Read our profile on Australia’s government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Ownership is not disclosed and revenue is derived through membership sales, an online shop that sells merchandise, and advertising.

Analysis / Bias

In review, The Shovel is a website the clearly disclaims they are satire with this statement: “The Shovel has a team of 4,000 full-time writers working in a satirical factory in Guangzhou, but we do also publish freelance submissions.” A sample satire story reads as follows: Coronavirus Vaccine Still 12-18 Million Clickbait Articles Away. Politically, most stories mock the right such as this: Trump Now Claiming You Can’t Get Coronavirus If You’ve Still Got Bieber Fever and this Disgusting Oxford University Initiation Ritual Required Members To Join The Conservative Party.

Overall, we rate The Shovel a Satire website that appropriately disclaims their intentions. (D. Van Zandt 7/21/2016) Updated (5/21/2020)