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Comedian Deniz Göktaş's stand-up show censored: X posts blocked
🇹🇷 Turkey /Culture & Society

Comedian Deniz Göktaş's stand-up show censored: X posts blocked

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Access to X (formerly Twitter) posts featuring comedian Deniz Göktaş's stand-up comedy clips has been blocked in Turkey.
  • The ban, justified as protecting national security and public order, was imposed after Göktaş's performance touched on sensitive political and social issues.
  • The decision has sparked debate about freedom of expression, with critics arguing the ban is an overreach despite the comedian's use of humor.

Posts containing clips from comedian Deniz Göktaş's stand-up show "Dead Sea" have been blocked on X in Turkey. The Freedom of Expression Association (IFOD) announced the decision, citing "protection of national security and public order" under Law No. 5651. X has made the posts invisible from Turkey.

Göktaş's performance, which premiered on YouTube on June 24 and garnered over 2 million views, humorously addressed topics ranging from imprisoned politicians and internal party disputes to child delinquency and psychology education in Turkey. The show generated significant social media buzz, with many clips being shared on X.

Deniz Göktaş, this impudent comedian, insults the President with his shrill voice in his stand-up show.

— Şamil TayyarFormer AKP Central Decision and Executive Board member Şamil Tayyar criticizing Deniz Göktaş's stand-up performance.

The comedian's material also sparked political debate. Former AKP Central Decision and Executive Board member Şamil Tayyar criticized Göktaş, stating the comedian "insulted the President" with his "shrill voice." Tayyar argued that while he accepts criticism as humor to a certain extent, direct insults disguised as jokes are not comedy.

I accept heavy criticism as humor up to a point. However, directly insulting and presenting insolence with a 'haha huhu' in a joke's packaging has nothing to do with humor.

— Şamil TayyarFormer AKP Central Decision and Executive Board member Şamil Tayyar explaining his view on the line between criticism and insult in comedy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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