Media should use power responsibly
By Steve Simpson
It is likely that everyone who has watched television, surfed the Internet, or read a newspaper or news magazine is aware of the tragic aftermath of the publication of the political cartoon portraying the Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban depicted as a bomb.
The cartoon has been published widely. Both the cartoon and the violent reaction are despicable. The media certainly have a responsibility to report the event and the right to publish the cartoon.
But, was our community really well-served by The Rhinoceros Times publishing the cartoon in the name of informing its readers when it was known to be insulting, insensitive and inflammatory to Muslims everywhere?
In recent years, the Greensboro community has worked hard to bring together our many different faiths, ethnicities, cultures and races to discuss issues that keep us apart, create barriers to open communication and deal with past hurt and insensitivity. Among those efforts are the Greensboro Community Truth and Reconciliation project, the Mayor's Mosaic Project, programming of Faith Action, Lutheran Family Services, Jewish Family Services, National Conference for Community and Justice and many others.
Progress is sometimes slow, tedious and controversial for those of us who want to see a unified community, but nevertheless progress is made.
Do not the media have a responsibility to further that progress whenever possible?
Printing this volatile picture is a step backward. It insults our Muslim brothers and sisters and portrays Islam as evil and murderous to many who know little of the peaceful philosophy of the religion.
The National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad implores The Rhinoceros Times and others to consider wisely and responsibly their power of the pen and how to exercise their right to use it.
Let us all help Greensboro join together rather than divide further.
The writer is executive director of the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad Inc.
Comments (14)
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"Peace in our time!"
Posted on March 1, 2006 7:03 AM
Philosopy and actions are 2 different things. The more I learn about this "peaceful" relegion the more I see it as an evil and murderous belief. The cartoons gave these people another excuse to murder and destroy. How many, out of the world's hundreds of relegions, say it is ok to kill another human? How you can still see this as a peaceful relegion is beyond me.
Posted on March 1, 2006 8:13 AM
I hope all the folks advocating for showing the cartoon will also come out in favor of showing the BUSH/ABRAHAMOFF photos..........
Oh, that's right, we don't want to incite the Right Wing Nut Jobs and show them what a third rate President they elected.
Posted on March 1, 2006 9:16 AM
DD, the point is no one cares about Bush/Abramoff cartoons or any other slam Bush cartoon. They've already been published and haven't generated riots, death threads, Fatwas, Embassy burnings or killings,
It's the same with the whoring of Christ via Hollywood and the Liberal Arts establishment over the past 40 years. The worst action taken against those issues are boycotts and letters to the Editors. Those viscious Christians!
Posted on March 1, 2006 9:42 AM
"Do not the media have a responsibility to further that progress whenever possible?"
The media's responsibility should be to inform the public, not to advance a political agenda based on fuzzy (but ultimately coercive) notions of progressivism. If the media censors itself for fear of offending someone, then it has failed its role of objectively reporting the news. The problem is exacerbated by the media's disproportionate concern for some groups over others. John Robinson, however, agrees with you, and his Rotarian/communitarian model of journalism (professions to the contrary notwithstanding) will ensure that controversial reporting will be kept to an absolute minimum.
Posted on March 1, 2006 10:36 AM
Hugh,
Breathe through your nose occasionally!
You cannot face the music that your "Hero" is a failure. The only thing he has successfully done is pull the wool over your eyes.
I wish you both well, but it is sickening to hear apologists such as yourself, continue to defend what is indefensible.
Speaking of W, how's that hydrogen car working for you? LOL!
Posted on March 1, 2006 10:40 AM
I'm sorry DD, I could'nt hear you over the Air America playing in the background of your post.
Posted on March 1, 2006 10:46 AM
like spoiled children playing in a sand box !
.................................................
brian444,
well stated !
Posted on March 1, 2006 2:41 PM
I think Deacon must have attended a Molly Ivins seminar. Molly has one subject only: Bush is a failure, Bush lied, Bush this, Bush that.
Deacon has consistently posted this message throughout these LTEs even when the subject at hand has NOTHING to do with Bush. This LTE subject is the media responsibility in publishing cartoons about Muslims Deacon, and you spin it into an anti-Bush tirade. Sheeeesh!!
Advice to Deacon: go get some nice warm fresh air, let those protruding blood vessels in your forehead subside, and STICK TO THE SUBJECT with some useful thoughts instead of boring us all with anti-Bush rants when they have NOTHING to do with the subject.
Posted on March 1, 2006 3:17 PM
If anyone is interested in reading a statement from the cartoonists, follow this link. You will not read it in the NR.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/010434.php#comments
Posted on March 1, 2006 5:19 PM
Hillbilly,
Did I miss something? The link took me to a blog which provided comments, just like this one. I even went to some of their links but did not find anything FROM the artist of the cartoons.
Posted on March 1, 2006 5:55 PM
Sorry, Yvonne. It is the 5th article down.
Posted on March 1, 2006 6:16 PM
Dan & Hugh,
Just add a little neoCON and you guys could go on the road. Become "Professional Apologists" who can only deflect criticism, not answer it. Dan, your defense of Hugh is unwarranted, as you actually READ!
Posted on March 2, 2006 1:17 PM
Boy you guys are all full of piss and vinegar today aren't you!!? This is my first time to visit the Letters to the Editor blogs and I am amazed that this Comedy Club has escaped my notice for so long. LOL LOL LOL
Posted on March 2, 2006 9:39 PM