(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 […]
(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
