Highlights:

The Riyadh Comedy Festival has drawn global attention due to the participation of high-profile US comedians in a country with a record of human rights violations.

Decisions to perform or decline highlight the tension between ethical principles and financial incentives in the comedy industry.

Strict content restrictions at the festival limit freedom of expression for performers.

The event occurs in a sensitive political context, including anniversaries of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination and the execution of Turki al-Jasser. - Advertisement -

The festival sparks broader debate about censorship, accountability, and the role of comedy in addressing—or ignoring—human rights issues.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival, running from September 27 through October 9, has become

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