Humor, (Self-)Censorship and Freedom of Expression: A Meeting with Zehra Ömeroğlu

Since December 2020, Turkish cartoonist Zehra Ömeroğlu has been the target of an absurd, ongoing trial for criminal obscenity, over a cartoon she published on the satirical magazine LeMan. She is now reflecting on her surreal experience by writing The Case -- a graphic novel on censorship, resilience and artistic resistance in the face of political repression. Set between Turkey, Georgia, and Germany, The Case addresses the global erosion of artistic freedom and the power of satire as a form of resistance. It questions who gets to define offense, and how creative expression survives — or adapts — under pressure. The project blends irony, documentary reality, and emotional depth to reflect on the shifting borders of dissent.

This ICOG event will feature a talk by Zehra Ömeroğlu on her work-in-progress, followed by short presentations by Dr Qian Huang and Dr Alberto Godioli on their respective NWO Veni and Vidi projects focusing on (self-)censorship and freedom of expression.

This event is open to all members of the ICOG community, as well as colleagues from other research centers and faculties.