Freedom of expression can be conveyed through any medium, including entertainment media.
Stand-up comedy is considered a unique performance because, in addition to its entertainment value, the content often presents a critical perspective from comedians regarding various phenomena and issues.
This emerged during the 21st Student Communication Discussion (Diskoma #21), themed “Comics’ Stage, Criticism’s Stage: Politics Wrapped in Laughter,” held online on Wednesday (May 29).
The discussion, organized by the Department of Communication Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, featured Comedian Sandi Prastowo and UGM Fisipol Communication Science Lecturer Dr. Ardian Indro Yuwono.
Dr. Yuwono stated that comedy has now become a form of enhancing democratic education.
This is because comedians can serve as alternative communication actors capable of filling gaps in public political literacy.
In popular culture studies, the humor conveyed by comedians functions to deliver serious messages with a light approach.
“Some segments of society do not easily understand political and social issues. However, entertainment media in the form of comedy actually takes the stage to translate these issues into language and delivery that the public can accept,” Dr. Yuwono said.
The presence of comedians can be a means to strengthen citizens’ political awareness, especially among the younger generation, who are often bored with conventional political approaches.
Nevertheless, Dr. Yuwono also reminded us that the position of comedians is very vulnerable to misunderstanding.
“Comedy material that touches sensitive issues can easily be misinterpreted as insult, provocation, or violation of social norms,” Dr. Yuwono added.
Sandi Prastowo shared his personal experience as a comedian who often raises socio-political issues.
According to Prastowo, stand-up comedy is an embodiment of “stand up for what you believe,” not just mere entertainment.
“Comedy, just like art, provides a broad space for someone to express public anxieties about existing social realities,” Prastowo said.
Prastowo explained that preparing comedy material requires research and a clear, in-depth understanding to transform criticism into a comedic package.
“The way to create critical material in comedy begins with news research, delving into personal anxieties, and formulating a point of view. Then, you can also test the material through open mic stages,” Prastowo stated.
Not only that, a comedian also needs to consider the use of diction in delivering material by observing audience sensitivity.
Many things can and cannot be said in front of an audience. This is intended to avoid falling into provocation or ethical violations.
Prastowo himself admitted that during his time as a comedian, he often faced various challenges regarding the boundaries between message, morals, and the element of comedy itself.
Some of these include the risk of reprimands due to spontaneous improvisation that offends certain parties.
Additionally, the dissemination of material without context through social media and negative public responses fails to grasp the humor while overlooking the substance of the criticism.
“Especially amidst the widespread use of social media, comedy can become an easy target for spreading misinformation,” Prastowo concluded.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Illustration: Freepik.com