Mike is joined by Sarah Blake, Conflict Strategist, Mediator and Social Commentator, to discuss how humour is increasingly being used as a weapon of power.

As public figures compete for influence, humour is sometimes used to belittle others, with the defence: “It’s just a joke.” Take Karl Stefanovic, who recently told an all-boys school dinner that he’d “love to see those mad witches with a spitfire up their arse” - referring to people who had called for him to be cancelled. The comment was met with laughter and applause.

Humour is important, but when a cutting remark is disguised as a joke, it can normalise personal attacks. And anyone who objects risks being dismissed as too sensitive or politically correct.

So where is the line between playful humour and humour designed to harm? If the real intention is to belittle someone, perhaps it isn’t a joke at all - and it should be called out.