No laughing matter: Is Saudi festival a case of ‘comedy washing’?
Can you put a price on freedom of speech? Comedy royalty including Dave Chapelle and Jimmy Carr, famous for defending their right to say whatever they want, have been paid big money by the Saudi government to appear at the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival.
But there's a catch.... they're not allowed to say anything that could cause "embarrassment" to Saudi Arabia, its royal family or any religion. The outcry has given you a new phrase to learn - "comedy washing".
What is comedy washing and what evidence is there Saudi Arabia is trying to carry it out? Why have comedians agreed to perform at…
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