As discussed in the introduction to this section, public figures – and politicians in particular – are usually expected to display a higher level of tolerance to ridicule compared to ordinary, ‘private’ citizens. This principle is well exemplified by several …
Mode of expression: Cartoon
Publication: The Sunday Times
Region: South Africa
Relevant dates: 7 September 2008 (publication), 2012 (lawsuit dropped)
Outcome: Lawsuit dropped
Judicial body: High Court of South Africa
Type of law: Civil Law
Themes: Defamation / Reputation / …
Mode of expression: Parody advertisement
Publication: Pornographic magazine
Region: United States
Relevant dates: November 1983 (publication); February 1988 (Supreme Court ruling)
Outcome: Hustler magazine acquitted
Judicial body: Supreme Court of the United States
Type …
Mode of expression: Caricature
Publication: single-page image in a magazine (La Caricature), lithograph
Region: France
Relevant dates: December 1831 (publication); February 1832 (trial)
Outcome: six months imprisonment (suspended sentence); fine 500 francs
Judicial body: Tribunal de Première Instance …
Mode of expression: Caricature
Publication: Singlesheet print, etching
Region: Great Britain
Relevant dates: Summer 1749 (publication); September 1749 (legal inquiries)
Outcome: prosecution abandoned
Judicial body: not applicable
Type of law: Seditious Libel
Themes: Defamation, Reputation, Satire, Libel
In the …
The 29th Conference of the Australasian Humour Studies Network will take place on 6-7 (Zoom, online only) and 9-10 (in-person only) February 2023.
The conference focuses on the theme ‘A Human Right to Humour’, with particular regard to questions …
Columbia Global Freedom of Expression, New York / Online, 14 October 2022
A recording of the event is now available HERE
Organizers: Dr. Alberto Godioli (University of Groningen) and Prof. Laura Little (Temple Law School)
Negotiating the legal boundaries …
5 August 2022
HUMOR: International Journal of Humor Research has just published a special issue titled ‘Humor and the Law: The Difficulty of Judging Jests’, guest-edited by Brigitte Adriaensen, Andrew Bricker, Alberto Godioli and Ted Laros.
The special issue features …
This page features a constantly updated list of books, articles and other scholarly resources on topics related to humor and the law. Should you have any comments or suggestions, please email info@forhum.org.