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Jan Böhmermann

Jan Böhmermann is a German satirist, radio and TV personality who was born in Bremen in 1981. In 2016, one of his poems about Turkey's president led to diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Germany.

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All Content on this topic

People on the street at night, wearing face masks and holding a poster that reads free Pablo

Spain's freedom of speech put to the test

The arrest of a Spanish rapper has made waves. Many in the culture scene fear for the country's freedom of speech.
CultureFebruary 19, 2021
DW Fact Checking-Team | Ines Eisele

More diversity, or cancel culture?

Ines Eisele
DW's Ines Eisele feels that both sides should calm down a bit on the topic of "cancel culture."
SocietyJanuary 2, 2021
Jan Böhmermann

Satirist Jan Böhmermann fires at Austria's politics

Austria's public TV aired a talk with Jan Böhmermann. Was its disclaimer a sign that press freedom is under threat?
CultureMay 8, 2019
Jan Böhmermann

Böhmermann v. Merkel: Court rejects comedian's bid

Jan Böhmermann had tried to sue Chancellor Angela Merkel over comments she made about a poem that angered Erdogan.
PoliticsApril 16, 2019
Jan Böhmermann

Böhmermann sues Merkel over Erdogan poem remark

At the time, the chancellor described the poem as "purposefully offensive," although she later said that was a mistake.
Law and JusticeApril 2, 2019
Jan Böhmermann

German court keeps partial ban of Böhmermann's Erdogan poem

The Hamburg court's ruling said that parts of the German satirist's poem are an "attack" on the Turkish president.
Law and JusticeMay 15, 2018
Jan Böhmermann

German troll army to fight online hate with love

German satirist Jan Böhmermann wants to fight online hate speech with an army of "love" trolls.
SocietyMay 3, 2018
Martin Muno

Bad for presidents, good for the people

Martin Muno
As of 2018, heads of state have no more legal protection from insult in Germany than you or I. And it's about time, too.
PoliticsJanuary 1, 2018
Jan Böhmermann exhibition

Satirist Jan Böhmermann puts on exhibition

Satirist Jan Böhmermann revisits the year 2017 in a new exhibition in Düsseldorf, "Deuscthland."
CultureNovember 27, 2017
Jan Böhmermann

Böhmermann threatens to take Merkel to court

The German satirist has threatened legal action if Merkel doesn't take back her statement on his Erdogan poem.
Law and JusticeSeptember 6, 2017
Erdogan gegen den Satiriker Böhmermann

Germany revokes lese majeste law

Germany's parliament has voted in favor of scrapping its lese majeste law following an attempt to indict a satirist.
PoliticsJune 2, 2017
Matinee der Solidarität für Deniz Yücel in Frankfurt

Frankfurt shows solidarity for Deniz Yucel

Hundreds of the detained journalist's supporters have held a concert to demand his release from prison.
PoliticsMay 21, 2017
'Menschen 2016' - ZDF Jahresrueckblick - Jan Böhmermann

Jan Böhmermann celebrates his debut on US late night TV

Böhmermann appeared on US national television last night striking a chord with late night show host Seth Meyers.
CultureApril 26, 2017
Deutschland Jan Böhmermann

Court rules against Böhmermann's Erdogan poem

A court in Germany has kept in place a ban on the more explicit passages of a satirical poem about Turkey's Erdogan.
PoliticsFebruary 10, 2017
external

@dwnews - Europe trolls Trump's 'America First' with #EverySecondCounts videos

PoliticsFebruary 7, 201703:23 min
Screenshot everysecondcounts.eu

Parody videos: 'America First,' but which country is second?

The viral Dutch video spoofing Trump, inviting him to put "the Netherland second," led to a series of European replies.
CultureFebruary 3, 2017
Gedenkveranstaltung zu Anschlägen in Paris in Berlin 11.1.2015

Free speech is controversial two years after Charlie Hebdo

Despite the outpouring of solidarity, opinions differ about artistic freedom of expression.
CultureJanuary 6, 2017
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

Rhineland-Palatinate drops Böhmermann poem probe

Prosecutors have rejected the Turkish president's appeal of a decision to drop the Jan Böhmermann probe over his poem.
CatastropheOctober 14, 2016
Verleihung Deutscher Fernsehpreis - Jan Böhmermann

Böhmermann speaks out in video statement and song

German comedian Jan Böhmermann has criticized the Turkish government and defended his infamous poem as "a joke."
PoliticsOctober 5, 2016
Jan Böhmermann and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Copyright: DW

Böhmermann: German satirist sparks freedom of speech debate

After a satirical TV show targeting Turkey's Erdogan, German comedian Jan Böhmermann has sparked a huge debate.
CultureOctober 5, 2016
Sproeer Susanne Kommentarbild App

Böhmermann vs. Erdogan: Criminal satire? Not in Germany

Susanne Spröer
Charges against satirist Jan Böhmermann have been dropped. That's the right decision, says DW's Susanne Spröer.
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
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
Erdogan

Erdogan loses appeal to German media boss in satire case

A court has thrown out an appeal by Turkish President Erdogan to obtain an injunction against the head of Axel Springer.
June 21, 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
Umar leaving Kusadasi's police building with her lawyer after arrest on April 24

Dutch reporter leaves Turkey after travel ban lifted

Turkey has lifted a travel ban on Dutch columnist Ebru Umar, allowing her to return to the Netherlands, officials said.
May 11, 2016
Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner

Court rejects Erdogan injunction against media CEO

A German court has dismissed Turkish President Erdogan's injunction bid against the head of media giant Axel Springer.
May 10, 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
Urban Burgery Erdogan Burger

The Erdogan burger scandal

Amid the Böhmermann case, a Cologne burger joint added an "Erdogan burger" to its menu - now it's closed after threats.
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
Deutschland Medienhype

What an outrage!

Every week a new scandal and new reason for public outcry. How does orchestrated media hype work?
May 2, 2016
Jan Böhmermann, Copyright: Imago/Sven Simon

Jan Böhmermann nominated for Grimme Online Award

Comedian Jan Böhmermann has been nominated for the Grimme Online Award following the uproar about his Erdogan poem.
April 28, 2016
Screenshot Jan Böhmermann in ZDF Neo Magazin Royale rezitiert Gedicht über Erdogan

A satirical and controversial poem

Germany’s government has allowed Turkey to sue the satirist Jan Böhmermann - and triggered a debate.
CultureApril 28, 201604:57 min
Jan Böhmermann

Böhmermann could face private lawsuits, too

Turkish President Erdogan successfully complained to Angela Merkel weeks ago, but others in Germany are rushing to help.
April 27, 2016
Poster for the Aghet music project, Copyright: aghet.eu

Opinion: Erdogan is a threat to artistic freedom

Erdogan has pressured Germany again, criticizing a music project in Dresden. Time to speak up, says Gero Schliess.
April 26, 2016
Ebru Umar türkische Journalistin

Dutch journalist 'detained in Turkey'

Ebru Umar, a columnist for "Metro" newspaper, says she has been detained for tweets critical of President Erdogan.
April 24, 2016
Türkei Ankara Treffen zur Flüchtlingskrise Merkel

All eyes on Merkel ahead of Turkey trip

German Justice Minister Maas has called on Chancellor Merkel to address freedom of the press during her Turkey visit.
April 23, 2016
Deutschland Merkel

Merkel admits 'mistake' in satire case

German Chancellor Merkel has said she regretted sharing her views on satirist Jan Böhmermann's song about Erdogan.
April 22, 2016
Deutschland Joachim Gauck

Gauck: Abolishing law over Böhmermann case too rash

Joachim Gauck has said it's too early to do away with a controversial paragraph in the country's penal code.
April 22, 2016
Deutschland Jan Böhmermann in Köln

German state pushes to scrap lese majeste law

Politicians in Germany are preparing a motion which might protect German satirist Böhmermann in the defamation case.
April 20, 2016
Belgien Izzet Selim Yenel

Selim Yenel on Conflict Zone

"Your President seems to feel insulted on a daily basis." Tim Sebastian confronts Selim Yenel, Turkey's EU ambassador.
PoliticsApril 20, 201626:01 min
Belgien Izzet Selim Yenel

Turkey's EU envoy: 'If we don't have membership, so be it'

Tim Sebastian interviews Selim Yenel, Turkey's EU ambassador.
April 20, 2016
Türkei - Erdogan

Cash prize in Erdogan 'Offensive Poetry Competition'

One thousand British pounds are on the line in a competition designed to personally insult Turkish President Erdogan.
April 20, 2016
Jan Böhmermann

The limits to free speech

German lawmakers are restricting xenophobic comments, but freedom of the press has also suffered.
April 19, 2016