Mismatched Encounters: The Appropriation of Humour and Satire in Civic and Political Activism on Facebook

This article investigates the role of humor and satire as mobilization and political communication strategies in anti-austerity movements in Portugal, analyzing interactions between activists and followers on Facebook. Based on interviews and digital content analysis, it reveals that followers create and disseminate more humorous content, while activists adopt a cautious approach, constrained by material limitations and perceptions of public responsibility. Humor reinforces alternative narratives and community ties but may exclude actors from the public sphere.