And I do not use the word ‘ torture’ flippantly. As technologically advanced as we are, when people use social media to ‘bomb’ others, to verbally abuse, to name others all the while knowing that tens of their facebook friends will join in underneath – in the comments section – that is literally torture. the torture of a person’s mental wellbeing. It is the torture of losing work and income because others believe in what the first commentator says, it is the torture of bullying. By inflicting it, as progressive as we think we are, we have actually regressed back into the dark ages. we have become the inquisition forcing confession through the use of pain. Mental torture should never be condoned. It should not be allowed to happen.
one reason why it is allowed is that the comedy scene does not have any form of governing body. A comedy worker governing body. If there was one, that is, if there was a governing body run by comedians proper – not the distant Equity, not necessarily a union at all – but a body supported by, run by comedians for comedians, then certain procedures could be put into place to deal with problems that arise between members. a problem which may include the conduct of a comedian. To deal with it civilly is the goal, using procedures that already exist in other walks of life e.g. in the – excuse the pun – civil service, procedures that aim to protect its employees when they have been wronged and to do so discreetly and privately. as it stands if a comedian (or wannabe comedian) feels passionate about an issue not only can he or she or they write what the fuck they like about it publicly, but they can also throw mud at, implicate, accuse, or simply name, another person they see fit to associate with it. In my opinion this abuse both of the internet and of a fellow comic does not help anybody. If someone has transgressed then let them go through due process. for any accusation, even if justified, needs to be dealt with fairly.
The reasons why a governing body like this has never been set up, i mean set up for ALL comedians not just for a certain group, are manifold. One reason for sure is the essential character of people who like to make jokes, for they are often the the piss takers, their job being to make fun of things, especially of authority. in that sense there is no room for any serious organisation within the comedy community that might become seen as god forbid worthy. Second, a lot of comedians are lazy, and to be fair they have other things to do – after all it’s a full time job finding gigs. scraping for gigs at the bottom of the forums.
i believe one promoter revealed another reason when he told me that, in order for the comedy circuit to continue the way it is then a sacrifice is required from time to time. Meaning what ? that the wild west anything goes attitude on social media is a great thing and is worth perpetuating? If he is right then the comedy community is, as far as i’m concerned, broken. In a community proper you do not allow a fellow member to be sacrificed! not just like that, not without first considering such things as the benefit of the doubt, such things as underlying FACTS.
there are of course many unfair things happening on a regular basis on the comedy circuit: cancelled gigs, unpaid fees, unfair criticism, bad sound systems, the list goes on. It is also a system based on the private ownership of clubs, and it is the opinions of these private owners which ultimately dictates whether a comic will work next month. the comedy community is a tough place to be. It’s tough to get work at the best of times. It’s extremely tough if you are of the thin skinned, sensitive kind. And perhaps all these unfair things will go on, perhaps comedians will continue to badmouth others, to misunderstand, to dislike, to hate others. So be it, but let’s stop with the bombing people already, it’s not a joke
Noel James 
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