Freedom of Speech and Responsibility
The underlying angst and public outrage against the disrespectful cartoon drawings of Muhammad have exploded into chaotic (and often violent) protests around the world. Despite the fact that these caricatures were originally released in a Danish newspaper in the fall of 2005, emotions are still raw and many people are demanding justice.
This highly charged controversy exemplifies a communicative and intercultural disaster. The disrespectful depiction of Muhammad in the public sphere clearly violates an ethical expectation: to balance the freedom of speech and responsibility. However, our ethnocentric tendencies may cloud the fact that the prioritization and interpretation of “free speech” varies greatly from culture to culture (and perhaps on an individual level, too). Regardless of the cartoonist’s intent—or the appropriateness of the protesters’ reactions, this ongoing controversy needs to be studied by communication scholars…
This highly charged controversy exemplifies a communicative and intercultural disaster. The disrespectful depiction of Muhammad in the public sphere clearly violates an ethical expectation: to balance the freedom of speech and responsibility. However, our ethnocentric tendencies may cloud the fact that the prioritization and interpretation of “free speech” varies greatly from culture to culture (and perhaps on an individual level, too). Regardless of the cartoonist’s intent—or the appropriateness of the protesters’ reactions, this ongoing controversy needs to be studied by communication scholars…
posted by MDC Youth Rep at 9:19 PM
3 Comments:
I have to ask, just because it's the nature of my thought processes, is your argument shifting blame or justifying the reactions to the "disrespectufl depiction" of Muhammad? The reactions are deplorable. These "rioters" don't seem to have a problem with the "cultural" implications of free speech as it relates to anti-semitic or anti-american cartoons.
Dear Aaron,
Thanks for the post! As always, you make a good point-- and deserve some clarification. After rereading my original post, I should elaborate...
My original post was merely contemplating the highly publicized controversy over the cartoon drawings of Muhammad...I simply wanted to suggest that scholars need to study this communicative nightmare.
In my attempt to maintain a "neutral" tone, my writing had some potentially nasty implications. To clarify, I do NOT support protests that are violent or hypocritical in nature. Burning down buildings and attacking innocent people is NOT an acceptable form of protest. Furthermore, fighting acts of discrimination with hate crimes is NOT acceptable (such as the promotion of anti-Semitic cartoons and anti-Western acts). However, I must point out that SOME protests have NOT been violent or threatening...I sympathize with those who peacefully and civilly advocate their position and take a stand.
In sum, I still believe that publishing disrespectful political cartoons should be studied further...please let me know if you have any other questions!!!
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