Censorship In America ...
I posted the story up this past weekend regarding the censorship perpetuated by Canada in shutting down a university campus newspaper. Never did I ever think it could happen in the United States, but it has. Yes, the University of Illinois--Thomas' old stomping grounds (and yes, he is ticked) has decided to do precisely that.
Two editors at the University of Illinois student-run newspaper were suspended Tuesday for their decision to run a series of cartoons that have sparked outrage and violence around the Islamic world.
Editor-in-chief Acton H. Gorton said the Daily Illini's publisher suspended him and the newspaper's opinions sections editor, Charles Prochaska, for two weeks pending the outcome of an internal investigation. "I'm very disappointed. I think this is nothing more than a cover-up," Gorton said.
Daily Illini managing editor Shira Weissman would not comment on the situation Tuesday. A telephone message left with the newspaper's publisher, Mary Cory, was not immediately returned. The paper's editorial staff told readers in Monday's editions that the decision to run the cartoons was made by Gorton and Prochaska without their knowledge.
While the staff apologized to the Muslim community, it stopped short of saying it disagreed with the decision. "We want to make it clear that while we do not necessarily disagree with the decision to print these cartoons, we disagree with how they were run," the editorial reads.
According to the editorial, Gorton and Prochaska ran the cartoons without consulting the staff or the publisher and "behind the backs of those who are being significantly affected by its fallout."
Gorton and Prochaska ran their own editorial Monday, defending their decision to reprint the cartoons, and even called "irresponsible" the decision by major newspapers around the country not to publish the cartoons. Gorton said on Tuesday that other editors were in the same room when the cartoons were laid out on the newspaper's pages and did not object. He also said he continues to stand by the decision to publish the cartoons.
All right, I can understand that there are people upset over these cartoons. And liekwise, mybe they should be, but is this not taking the issue a bit far? We do still have a freedom of speech in America. Frankly speaking, the university newspaper had as much right to repint the cartoons as the campus newspaper in Canda did. This is blatant censorship, literally on the part of the state, to suppress the right to express a viewpoint that is prevalent right now to the world.
A protest war has erupted over these cartoons. Was the university worried about violence? Are the unaware that such a demonstration would not have been tolerated in this nation, and those perpetuating such a demonstration would have been stopped, rounded up, and forced to pay for any damages done to the campus? Obviously not.
This issue has been carried to ridiculous ends. Should anyone deem to post or reprint these cartoons, let them do so; the organization--be they private, college, or media--that odes will deal with the repercussions. However, in this nation our rights come with a price. that being responsibility. So what if a group of people picket the campus. As long as they are not trying to burn the place the ground, all is well. The University of Illinois should allow the student-run paper to print what it wants, without fear of such recriminations. Let the paper deal with the reciprocity.
The Bunny ;)
I posted the story up this past weekend regarding the censorship perpetuated by Canada in shutting down a university campus newspaper. Never did I ever think it could happen in the United States, but it has. Yes, the University of Illinois--Thomas' old stomping grounds (and yes, he is ticked) has decided to do precisely that.
Two editors at the University of Illinois student-run newspaper were suspended Tuesday for their decision to run a series of cartoons that have sparked outrage and violence around the Islamic world.
Editor-in-chief Acton H. Gorton said the Daily Illini's publisher suspended him and the newspaper's opinions sections editor, Charles Prochaska, for two weeks pending the outcome of an internal investigation. "I'm very disappointed. I think this is nothing more than a cover-up," Gorton said.
Daily Illini managing editor Shira Weissman would not comment on the situation Tuesday. A telephone message left with the newspaper's publisher, Mary Cory, was not immediately returned. The paper's editorial staff told readers in Monday's editions that the decision to run the cartoons was made by Gorton and Prochaska without their knowledge.
While the staff apologized to the Muslim community, it stopped short of saying it disagreed with the decision. "We want to make it clear that while we do not necessarily disagree with the decision to print these cartoons, we disagree with how they were run," the editorial reads.
According to the editorial, Gorton and Prochaska ran the cartoons without consulting the staff or the publisher and "behind the backs of those who are being significantly affected by its fallout."
Gorton and Prochaska ran their own editorial Monday, defending their decision to reprint the cartoons, and even called "irresponsible" the decision by major newspapers around the country not to publish the cartoons. Gorton said on Tuesday that other editors were in the same room when the cartoons were laid out on the newspaper's pages and did not object. He also said he continues to stand by the decision to publish the cartoons.
All right, I can understand that there are people upset over these cartoons. And liekwise, mybe they should be, but is this not taking the issue a bit far? We do still have a freedom of speech in America. Frankly speaking, the university newspaper had as much right to repint the cartoons as the campus newspaper in Canda did. This is blatant censorship, literally on the part of the state, to suppress the right to express a viewpoint that is prevalent right now to the world.
A protest war has erupted over these cartoons. Was the university worried about violence? Are the unaware that such a demonstration would not have been tolerated in this nation, and those perpetuating such a demonstration would have been stopped, rounded up, and forced to pay for any damages done to the campus? Obviously not.
This issue has been carried to ridiculous ends. Should anyone deem to post or reprint these cartoons, let them do so; the organization--be they private, college, or media--that odes will deal with the repercussions. However, in this nation our rights come with a price. that being responsibility. So what if a group of people picket the campus. As long as they are not trying to burn the place the ground, all is well. The University of Illinois should allow the student-run paper to print what it wants, without fear of such recriminations. Let the paper deal with the reciprocity.
The Bunny ;)
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 11:56 PM
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