AAEC - Editorial Cartoon News
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February 7, 2006
Rights and Responsibilities
The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists emphatically and unequivocally supports the right of free expression by the world's cartoonists.
Freedom of speech is the foundation of a democratic society. Protecting such a vital liberty inevitably leads to the defense of viewpoints that some may find offensive. The drawings of the prophet Muhammad published in Jyllands-Posten are a case in point. While the motivation and judgment of the Danish artists and their publishers may be debatable, their right to free expression without threat or intimidation cannot be compromised.
The Islamic community's outrage over the drawings is understandable. The violent protests, incited and exploited by those with more radical agendas, are not. The freedom to protest, like the freedom of speech, must be exercised responsibly.
Both sides need to raise the level of the debate and not just the level of invective. All would be well-served to realize that they can stand up for their beliefs without trampling on others to do so.