SUMMARY:
In the article “Political Cartoonists Threatened Worldwide” published by Al Jazeera America on Feb. 15, 2015 authors Amed and Said discuss what it is like to be a political cartoonist. Initially, they give the exigence of the article, by discussing the terror attacks in France, specifically the deaths of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists last month. Then they continue to explain why exactly “the struggle faced by cartoonists internationally is as old as the medium itself.” Historically, governments have oppressed, while over the past decade it is seen in the media much less, we have had a resurgence of anti-cartoonist acts. The authors cite the arrest of a Malaysian cartoonist, just days ago, for criticizing her government, In the rest of the article, they continue by including profiles from several Al Jazeera cartoonists who face challenges in their own work.
ANALYSIS:
I am honestly surprised that this didn't happen earlier. Possibly it is the rising popularity of Twitter that spreads messages from one side of the world to the other in a split of a second. Unfortunately, in the countries that these atrocities are occurring (besides France) like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Kuwait do not have constitutional protections for these citizens. Hopefully, we will see an increase in the defenders of these cartoonists, with their millions of fans, they also need protection not only from their governmental bodies but also from lawyers that could defend them just when they are under arrest.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why is there an increase now of persecution of cartoonists? (Factors that play a role)
- Is cartooning protected in the first amendment?
- What can the United States do to help the arrested cartoonists in other countries?
LINK TO ARTICLE:
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