Moral Hypocracy
posted by Anonymous at 4:16 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2006
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2 Comments:
Is the figure of Sharon comparable to the founder and prophet of a major religion? How does one cartoon change the analysis of the first?
Yes, and no. Cartoons can be powerful images for political persusion, not just entertainment. That said no cartoon justifies violence of any sort.
Another issue: Freedom of the press. We need to understand that is possible to say that the cartoon was offensive and should not have been published by any editor who understood the consequences of inflammatory images in the current climate. Publishing images that will result in deaths at the hands of religious fanatics must be very carefully weighed. What is to be gained by their publication? Aren't there other ways to make the same point without being needlessly provocative?
A line needs to be drawn. Freedom of the press from state control or intimidation by religious fanatics is the crucial issue. Editors should expect pressure when they make controversial choices and the opposition should be free to express their anger in a non-violent fashion. However, calling for government regulation or censorship is a real dangerous step in the wrong direction. That Danish paper should be free to publish whatever cartoon it wishes, featuring any religious figure from any religion. They should expect and welcome criticism and they should think twice before publishing images that insult the sacred cows of the worlds religions. Part of that freedom is being responsible about what you publish, taunting the ignorant will only create a backlash that can threaten the press freedom itself. Lambaste the censors, but be responsible for your own words, and their consequences, or else expect powerful forces to call for censorship and government regulation of the media. What do we gain by taking cheap shots at the Prophet? Does that open lines of communication, or does it serve the interests of the fanatics by allowing them to portray us as enemies of Islam?
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