CPJ releases global assessment of threats faced by cartoonists
New York—The attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in
January 2015 shed light on the grave dangers confronting those who draw
satirical and political cartoons. But threats against cartoonists are a global
phenomenon and are as diverse as the content of the cartoons themselves,
according to a report released today by the Committee to Protect
Journalists. In one case examined in the report, political cartoonist Zulkiflee
Anwar Ulhaque, known as "Zunar," faces more than 40 years in prison
if found guilty of sedition during a trial that is due to begin in Malaysia on May
20.
"Attacks
and threats from Islamic extremists have brought the risks for cartoonists into
high relief, but the threats also come from governments," said Joel Simon,
CPJ Executive Director. "Editorial cartoons have the ability to convey
complex themes in a simple yet profound manner that easily crosses borders and
languages. What makes these cartoons so powerful is also what makes cartoonists
so vulnerable."
The
risks stem largely from criticism of authority figures, commentary on current
affairs, and portraying religious symbols. Thanks to social media, cartoons are
reaching more people than ever before, but that reach means enemies of the
press are able to more easily monitor and respond to content they deem
objectionable.
Political
cartoonists in Iran, South Africa, and Venezuela are among those who have faced
lawsuits, fines, harassment, and imprisonment over their satirical take on
leaders and government policy. In Ecuador, the cartoonist Xavier Bonilla may
face criminal charges over a montage jabbing at the fumbling speech of a
politician in President Rafael Correa's ruling party. His newspaper, El
Universo, was ordered to run an apology for seven days after publishing the
cartoon.
Fear
of retaliation and death threats from radical Islamists have forced some cartoonists
into exile or, in the case of American Molly Norris, into hiding. One
cartoonist simply disappeared. Prageeth Eknelygoda, a Sri Lankan whose critical
drawings of the Rajapaksa government were widely disseminated, went missing in
2010.
A
growth in measures against "offensive" speech and greater
surveillance of media under the guise of combatting terrorism are also
documented in the report, which was written by Shawn W. Crispin. Crispin, a
Thailand-based journalist, is CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative. CPJ
Asia Research Associate Sumit Galhotra contributed reporting from New Delhi,
India.
CPJ's report looks at cases in Malaysia, India, South
Africa, Bangladesh, Venezuela, the United States, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Syria,
and Iran. (CPJ)
(CPJ is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to
safeguard press freedom worldwide.)
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