Tonight, on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Olbermann and Reverend Al Sharpton discussed Newscorp CEO Rupert Murdoch's apology for the New York Post political cartoon that shocked the nation. For those of you who need a refresher, the Post published a cartoon that revealed police officers shooting a monkey, and the caption read, "They'll have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill." This caused a stir because of the apparent racial undertones associated with the image of the monkey, which was obviously meant to be President Barack Obama who had just presented his idea for the Stimulus Bill for the economy. Murdoch issued an apology in the New York Post, but did it truly erase the negative press the cartoon received? Olbermann and Sharpton both agreed the racist cartoon will be remembered for a while, and it was perhaps, too little of an apology for such a shocking image.
However, there is freedom of the press and of speech in our country.
Should newspapers be able to publish whatever they want, even if it is bound to offend readers? Or should the Post have been more respectful of President Obama and the newly passed Stimulus Bill? What do you guys think?
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You are quite right. The cartoon was a disgrace which deserved the harsh response which it received. In the U.S., we do have freedom of speech but we also have the right to challenge outrageous acts, claims and statements. That's another reason that we're fortunate to live in America !!!
ReplyDeleteWow, is it bad that I did not even hear about this? I really hadn't heard about it, I must be a little out of touch, but I think it is horrible!
ReplyDeleteIf such a strong image such as that political cartoon was released, I do not see how an apology in the paper would take all the negative press away from that situation.
I do see how this is freedom of press and speech, but it seems a little extreme. Just because there is free speech and press doesn't mean things are not censored in this country. I don't think that was acceptable given the first amendment or not.