A Turkish court convicted comedian Deniz Goktas of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to multiple outlets citing broadcaster NTV. The court ordered his release after he had spent almost three months in custody, the Associated Press and The Straits Times reported.
Goktas had been on trial over jokes made during a standup show. According to Deutsche Welle, he was accused of insulting Erdogan, "praising" crime and criminals, and "inciting hatred and hostility" with jokes about Islam.
Deutsche Welle noted that Turkey is nominally a secular country with free speech protections.
The case drew coverage from several international outlets, including Euronews and France 24, which reported that Goktas was on trial for insulting Erdogan in his standup show.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Associated Press reported the comedian received a jail term for calling Erdogan a 'dictator'.
- Left-leaning coverage noted he was released ahead of his appeal.
“Turkish comedian gets jail term for calling Erdogan ‘dictator’ but released ahead of appeal” — Associated Press
Center
- Center outlets cited broadcaster NTV for details of the conviction and release after nearly three months in custody.
- Deutsche Welle detailed multiple charges, including insulting Erdogan, praising crime, and inciting hatred through jokes about Islam.
- Deutsche Welle noted Turkey is nominally a secular country with free speech protections.
- Euronews and France 24 both reported on the standup show trial.
“Court convicts Turkish comedian of insulting president but orders release, broadcaster says” — The Straits Times
Questions readers ask
What happened to Turkish comedian Deniz Goktas?
A Turkish court convicted Deniz Goktas of insulting President Tayyip Erdogan but ordered his release after he had spent almost three months in custody, according to broadcaster NTV.
Why was Deniz Goktas on trial?
Goktas was accused of insulting President Erdogan, "praising" crime and criminals, and "inciting hatred and hostility" through jokes about Islam made during a standup comedy show, according to Deutsche Welle.
Is Deniz Goktas still in custody?
No, the court ordered his release after conviction, following almost three months in custody, according to reporting citing broadcaster NTV.
What did left- and center-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning coverage from the Associated Press emphasized the jail term and his release ahead of appeal, while center-leaning outlets like Deutsche Welle detailed the specific charges and Turkey's nominal secularism.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningTurkish comedian gets jail term for calling Erdogan ‘dictator’ but released ahead of appeal
- Deutsche WelleCenterTurkey: Comedian on trial for 'insulting' Erdogan in show
- EuronewsCenterTurkish comedian Deniz Göktaş on trial for insulting President Erdoğan in standup show
- France 24CenterComedian on trial for insulting Erdogan in standup show
- The Straits TimesCenterComedian on trial for ‘insulting’ Erdogan in standup show