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Böhmermann: German satirist sparks freedom of speech debate

October 5, 2016

How free is speech in Germany? After a satirical TV show targeting Turkey's President Erdogan, German comedian Jan Böhmermann faces legal action - and has sparked a massive debate on freedom of speech in Germany.

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Jan Böhmermann and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Copyright: DW

In the ZDF television show, "Neo Magazin Royale," Jan Böhmermann recently presented a snide, satirical poem in which he criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's limitations on freedom of speech in Turkey, while also making personal jabs at the president, including references to child pornography and sex with animals.

As a result, Erdogan has filed a defamation claim against Böhmermann. The case has stirred up discourse over the state of freedom of speech in both Germany and Turkey and the boundaries of satire.

Click through the articles and videos below for background on the case, opinions and reactions.

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Reports & Analysis

Erdogan and Jan Böhmermann

Böhmermann vs. Erdogan: Criminal satire? Not in Germany

Charges against satirist Jan Böhmermann have been dropped. That's the right decision, says DW's Susanne Spröer.
Sproeer Susanne Kommentarbild App
Susanne Spröer
Commentary
CultureOctober 5, 2016
Pictureteaser Böhmermann Erdogan

Satirist v. Erdogan case dropped

Prosecutors in Mainz have drawn praise in Germany for dropping a probe against a satirist who lampooned Erdogan.
PoliticsOctober 4, 2016
German comedian Jan Böhmermann (Photo: picture-alliance/Eventpress Hoensch)

Court case: Will Erdogan obtain a ban on Böhmermann's poem?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aims to have the entire poem by German comedian Böhmermann banned from public.
CultureNovember 2, 2016
Kombo Erdogan und Jan Böhmermann

Erdogan insult case against German comedian dropped

Prosecutors have dropped an investigation into comedian Jan Böhmermann for reading a poem insulting Turkey's president.
PoliticsOctober 4, 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of Bestepe National Congress&Culture Center and commemoration of those martyred in July 15 coup attempt, in Ankara, Turkey on July 29, 2016. Ahmet Izgi / Anadolu Agency Copyright: picture-alliance/AA/A. Izgi

Erdogan to drop insult lawsuits

Turkey's president has said he'll withdraw all lawsuits against citizens who allegedly insulted him, a one-off gesture.
July 30, 2016
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Jan Böhmermann

German court justifies injunction on Erdogan poem

Satirist Jan Böhmermann prompted outrage from Ankara after harshly criticizing the Turkish leader.
June 17, 2016

Court injunction 'blatantly wrong'

German comedian Jan Böhmermann will appeal against a court order banning him from reciting a poem on Turkey's Erdogan.
May 18, 2016
German comedian Jan Böhmermann

Erdogan wins injunction against Böhmermann

A Hamburg court grants an injunction against the satirist, preventing repetition of his so-called "Defamatory Poem."
May 17, 2016
Pictureteaser Böhmermann Erdogan

Jan Böhmermann returns to the set

The German parliament has debated an archaic defamation law behind an investigation into comedian Jan Böhmermann.
May 13, 2016
Mathias Döpfner

Erdogan seeks to gag Axel Springer CEO

Turkish President Erdogan is pursuing legal action against Axel Springer boss Mathias Döpfner.
May 9, 2016
Pictureteaser Böhmermann Erdogan

Böhmermann breaks his media silence

The comedian being probed for allegedly insulting the Turkish president blames German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
May 4, 2016
Erdogan doll on Ebay

Satirical Erdogan model up for auction on Ebay

The figurine's creator Marcel Offermann said his model is a sign of solidarity with comedian Jan Böhmermann.
May 2, 2016
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