Article from the Hamilton Journal News 8/16/2006

Sheriff may tangle with Jon Stewart

By Chris Dumond

Staff Writer

HAMILTONButler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones’ outspoken views on immigration could land him a spot on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”

Jones said show producers contacted him Friday and Monday about possibly appearing on the show, although nothing has been confirmed.

The Daily Show, which appears on Comedy Central, intertwines real interviews with real newsmakers with tongue-in-cheek segments poking fun at current events.

“Basically, they make humor out of serious situations,” Jones said. “I’m willing to do the show if it will bring light, even in a humorous way, if it brings light and attention to the cause of getting something done about illegal immigration.”

Jones’ get-tough stance on immigration reform has rated coverage in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Fox News Channel. He’s almost always shown standing with arms folded outside the jail beside his “illegal immigrants here” sign.

Despite a being self-described “fake news show” presented by comedians, studies have found The Daily Show has a real impact on viewers.

The National Annenberg Election Survey in 2004 found that Daily Show viewers were more informed about presidential campaign issues than those who watched national news shows or regularly read newspapers.

Jones said he was also contacted recently by producers for “60 Minutes” for a segment about federal law enforcement agencies’ response to illegal immigration.

“When a local sheriff in Ohio is getting this much attention on an issue for the whole United States, it’s a good feeling that people are hearing what you’re saying,” Jones said.