There's an even better reason why every newspaper in the free world should print these cartoons on their front page: To do your part to defend free speech…for a change.
The American press ran every photo it could find from Abu Ghraib, knowing as it did that the reaction would hurt the war effort and put our soldiers at risk. The American media didn't hesitate to run with illegally leaked documents about ongoing surveillance of Al Qaeda suspects and their communications into the US, even though breaking that story has absolutely aided the terrorists who want to kill us.
I'm not saying that the press made the wrong decision in either case. But I am pointing out that, for the most part, the typical reporter has been riding in the "free press" wagon, not pushing it.
Well, guys, it's time to get out and push. The threat against free speech from real-life religious zealots has arrived. Filmmakers have been shot. Writers have been stabbed. Cartoonists are forced underground in fear for their lives. Now's your chance to affirm the power of the press and reject the threats of thuggery by printing just one of these cartoons on your front page, with a note explaining that you are supporting the principle, not the message.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
US media used to have guts
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