The recent row over the publication of the Danish cartoons depicting the muslim prophet Muhammed in less that holy ways (now
picked up by the NYTimes) has made me think again about something that really gets under my skin with my liberal friends and colleagues.
What do folks here think? What makes political or religious commentary appropriate? I for one think the more the better...the whole First Ammendment thing and all, but I wonder what other folks think?
Quoting from a UPI piece:
First:
Die Welt led with one image on its title page, accompanied by a news piece on the row. The move resulted in criticism from the German Journalist Association, or DJV. A DJV spokesman told the online daily Netzeitung: "The responsibility of the press forbids publications in word or image that may hurt the ethical or religious feelings of a group of individuals."
Second:
"It's a new provocation," Dalil Boubakeur, rector of the Paris mosque and head of France's Representative Muslim Council, said in a telephone interview. "Liberty is liberty. But this hurts Muslim sensitivities."
In my opinion WHO CARES if it hurts Muslim or any other religious groups sensitivities?? Really, I understand the concept of defamation and support laws against it, but if it's not defamation it shouldn't be condemned. It seems that fear of negative responses from people whose feelings are hurt is no reason not to speak your mind.