3 February 2006

Alert

Economic boycott of Danish products over cartoons an attempt at mass censorship, says CRN


(CRN/IFEX) - The following is a 2 February 2006 CRN letter to the Danish prime minister:

Excellency, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Prime Minister
The Royal Danish Government
Christiansborg, Prins Jørgens Gård 11
DK-1218 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Fax: 45 33 11 16 65

Your Excellency,

Our organization represents the interests of editorial cartoonists all over the world who find themselves in trouble because of the power and influence of their work. In the editorial cartooning world, we are all watching the developments surrounding the publishing of the 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad by the Jyllands-Posten newspaper late last year.

We have issued a press release supporting the principles of freedom of speech in this matter. While it is unfortunate that this case has become so volatile, and involves an apparent affront to some Muslims, our position is that any compromise to the rights of journalists or cartoonists is unacceptable. Now that this case involves economic boycotts and the severing of diplomatic ties, freedom of the press has been brought into a brinksmanship battle. But the public should recognize that an economic boycott of Danish products is nothing less than an attempt at mass censorship. The threat sends a chill through every journalist and journalism enterprise in the world.

If any religious (or secular or political) group learns that an economic or diplomatic boycott can result in self- or externally-imposed censorship, then freedom of the press will be forever compromised.

I realize much is at stake. The perceived affront to the honor and respect of Danes towards the Islamic faith is absolutely necessary to clarify and ameliorate.

Cartoonists Rights Network supports your efforts to resolve this unpleasantness, but especially supports your efforts to protect freedom of expression.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director



Source:

Cartoonists Rights Network International
Box 7272
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
USA
rrussell (@) cartoonistsrights.org
Phone: +1 703 543 8727
Fax: +1 703 543 8727
 

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More on this case

Moroccan newspaper says it is a victim of state-organized protests, Syrian journalist arrested over cartoons 15 February 2006 IPI supports editorial independence in cartoon controversy, calls on politicians to recognise this principle when appealing for calm 14 February 2006 Journalists arrested, newspapers closed over prophet cartoons 14 February 2006 PEN Canada statement on cartoons depicting Muhammed 11 February 2006 Two more newspapers shut down for publishing prophet cartoons 10 February 2006 Newspaper closed, arrest warrant issued for editor over prophet cartoons 8 February 2006 Jordanian editors jailed for publishing prophet cartoons; censorship order in South Africa; attacks reported in Beirut 7 February 2006 RSF appeals for calm and dialogue on Prophet caricatures 2 February 2006 "France Soir" editor dismissed for printing Danish cartoons of Mohammed 2 February 2006 Newspaper receives bomb threat for cartoons of Muhammad 2 February 2006 RSF concerned about Jordanian parliament's call for Danish cartoonists to be punished 26 January 2006 WAN criticises Arab pressure on Danish newspaper 15 November 2005

Denmark

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