Social media platform X has blocked access within Turkey to video clips of stand-up comedian Deniz Goktas, who – as reported by IntelliNews on June 26 – went viral with an upload of a comedy set in which he called the country’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan a “dictator”.

The EngelliWeb initiative (@engelliweb), a project of Turkey’s Freedom of Expression Association, has reported the ban introduced by X.

The geoblocking of Goktas videos was executed under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651, which refers to Turkey’s controversial internet regulation statute. The article allows authorities to order the removal of content or block access to websites on the grounds of protecting national security, public order or crime prevention.

“National security” no less

The Goktas decision was executed “on the grounds of protecting national security and public order”, a general clause that is employed to block anything ranging from stories about corruption to the work of comedians.

Turkey also regularly applies bandwidth throttling at up to 90%, advertising bans and eventual platform blackouts.

Watched 4.4mn times

Goktas, known for his sharp, politically charged dark comedy that frequently touches on Turkey’s socio-economic struggles, state institutions and judicial system, has built a massive audience.

On June 24, he uploaded his latest comedy show on YouTube. Since then, the video has been viewed more than 4mn times.

“Dictator at peace with himself”

During his performance, Goktas describes Erdogan as having transitioned from a "shy dictator" to one who is "at peace with his own identity".

“There is no debate that this indecent individual named Deniz Goktas will be arrested. The reason for his arrest is his mockery of the Islamic religion. The buffoons making defences like 'Oh, it’s just a joke' should make jokes about their own sacred values instead,” an Erdogan-supporting troll on June 27 wrote on X, where Goktas remains a trending topic.

“However”

“This upstart named Deniz Goktas uses his high-pitched voice in his stand-up show to lash out at our President. He calls him a 'dictator,' he calls him 'ignorant,' and so on and so forth. Up to a certain point, I can accept harsh criticism in comedy,” another such troll wrote.

He then added a “However”. The use of an “However” is a well-known tack taken by Erdogan backers online. Goktas in fact has a “however” joke in his satirical show. In this case, the troll says that, though he can accept harsh criticism in comedy, “Directly insulting someone and serving up impertinence wrapped up as a joke under the guise of 'haha huhu' has absolutely nothing to do with comedy.”

What is comedy?

“Comedy requires a spark of intelligence; the performer forms an invisible bond with the audience, the audience instantly processes the subtle jabs, and if they like it, they become part of the show,” the social media post continued.

So, in this case, the suggestion appears to be that if this was a case of comedy, things would be okay. “However,” the apparent problem is that this is not a case of comedy.

“Who are you to talk about our president?”

“What’s more, I cannot understand how these upstarts grant themselves a special status, despite having no life experience or achievements of their own, while humiliating a leader who has won every election he has entered over 24 years and has made history in this country,” the troll also wrote. “What is your story [Goktas]? Do you have a single achievement? How many books have you read, for instance?”

The troll in question is an ex-Gulenist. Introducing the issue of books where the anti-Gulenist Erdogan is concerned could be a sign that he remains a crypto-Gulenist as Goktas’ comedy routine also includes a joke about Erdogan and books.

“Refined wit” of Musti from Senegal

“Musti from Senegal, who learned Turkish later in life, also used to criticise our President in his stand-up routines, but nobody was offended. Because he was producing comedy with a refined wit,” the troll continued.

The “Musti from Senegal’ concerned has argued that Erdogan would win the elections in Senegal if he ran there. A curious kind of criticism.

But, no matter, make of it what you will, for our troll friend concluded: “If you fail to maintain the fine line between comedy and impertinence, you end up talking nonsense; you become impertinent, not funny.”

“Primary motivations are insulting Erdogan and Islam”

Wading back in, with a further set of tweets, troll guy added: “The debate over comedian Deniz Goktas’ show continues. Those who offer him support and direct their anger at us are predominantly taking an ideological stance. In particular, 'animosity toward Tayyip Erdogan' and 'anti-Islam sentiment' serve as their primary motivations”.

Back in the groove, trolling man observed: “The interesting part is that they mount their defence by referencing positive concepts such as 'tolerance' and 'forbearance.' We know this fraudulent, masked approach all too well. Just a day or two ago, the actor Halil Ergun was subjected to a lynching campaign simply for criticising, not even [founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal] Ataturk himself, but those who exploit Ataturk’s legacy.”

Can you call Ataturk a dictator?

“If you approach comedy with such immense tolerance, could you repeat word for word, neither more nor less, what was said about our President regarding Ataturk? Personally, I have no issue with Ataturk and I treat his memory with the utmost respect; I only say this to test the boundaries of your tolerance,” troller next wrote.

“Back then, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) was up in arms because Can Dundar [a journalist, currently in self-exile in Germany for using videos to expose the ‘MIT trucks incident,’ a clash between Gulenist cops and a Turkish intelligence service MIT officer, with the spooks found to be transporting guns to Syria], a favourite figure among the opposition, used a photograph of Ataturk smoking a cigarette in a documentary. For years in this country, it was forbidden to write or draw in reference to Ataturk drinking alcohol,” he added.

“The career of TV host Guner Umit came to an end because of a joke he made about our Alevi citizens during a live broadcast. Every country has its shared values, its sacred beliefs, and its own sense of humour,” he advised.

Avoidance of “tragedy”

And for a clincher: “One must be careful; this is where our sensitivity lies. If every newcomer turns comedy into a 'weapon of attack,' they will be slashing and drawing blood along the very fault lines that hold society together. It would be a tragedy”.