Danish newspaper apologises in Muhammad cartoons row
Guardian / Lars Eriksen
27-Feb-2010 (6 comments)

A Danish newspaper apologised today to eight Muslim organisations for the offence it caused by reprinting controversial cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad, in exchange for their dropping legal action against the newspaper.

Politiken reached a settlement with the groups, which represent 94,923 of Muhammad's descendants, in which it agreed to print an apology for the affront the cartoons caused. The newspaper has not given up its right to publish the cartoons and has not apologised for having printed them as part of its news coverage.

In a joint statement, the two sides said they wanted to "express their satisfaction with this amicable understanding and settlement, and express the hope that it may in some degree contribute to defusing the present tense situation".

The decision to issue an apology for the offence caused has been met, however, by widespread condemnation from the Danish media and political parties.

The editor of Jyllands-Posten, which originally printed the cartoons in 2005 and is published by the same media company as Politiken, said that its sister paper had failed in the fight for freedom of speech and called it a "sad day" for the Danish press.

Kurt Westergaard, one of the cartoonists, who earlier this year was the subject of an attempted attack at his home, said the newspaper had betrayed its duty to freedom of speech. "In Denmark we play by a set of rules, which we don't deviate from, and that's freedom of speech,"... >>>

Anonymous Observer

Bullied Into Apologizing For Free Speech!!!

by Anonymous Observer on Sat Feb 27, 2010 08:19 AM PST

Absolutely shameful what this newspaper, and its artists and publishers were put through just because they exercised their right to free speech.  This sort of intolerance is a small glimpse into the one of the reasons why we do not see free speech and free exchange of artistic ideas in the Muslim world.  We have a long way to go!  


Balatarin
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Onlyiran

Captain - Why is everything connected to Israel?!!!

by Onlyiran on Sat Feb 27, 2010 09:48 PM PST

you're comparing apples and oranges here.  First, I don't know why you have to connect everything to Israel, like you do on this thread:

//iranian.com/main/blog/sayeh-hassan/abdulmalik-rigi-s-capture-and-its-implications-iranian-opposition-abroad

In the link that you provide, Israel is criticizing an article that is directly accusing Israelis of war crimes, murder and other crimes against humanity.  Israel says that its citizens have not committed such crimes and is asking the paper for an apology.  Now, if they have, and they are investigated and are found to have committed such crimes, then they should be brought to justice, and the paper does not owe anyone an apology.  In they haven't, and the story turns out to be false, then the paper owes them and apology and a retraction.  It's as simple as that.

In the Danish incident, on the other hand, artists drew cartoons of Mohammed, a historical and religious figure.  if you want to compare that with Israel, just Google the word Moses and cartoon in the Google Images section and see hundreds, if not thousands of cartoons that come up.  Here's one:

   //www.blogworthy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/moses-cartoon.jpg

then, if you still want to compare to Israel, show me one incident where Israelis have said anything about any cartoons.  If you find one, then Israelis should be condemned as well.  If you cannot find one, then it's highly inappropriate for you to make this silly and absurd comparison.  

I think it serves us in the Muslim world to realize our shortcomings and come to terms with them rather than trying to, as usual, project our problems unto others, and blame others for our short comings!!!  


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MM

Danish wuss

by MM on Sat Feb 27, 2010 04:12 PM PST

.


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capt_ayhab

Freedom of press

by capt_ayhab on Sat Feb 27, 2010 02:17 PM PST


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benross

very sad indeed

by benross on Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:10 PM PST

This is a green light to obscurantism.


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Fatollah

this is bad news!

by Fatollah on Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:02 AM PST

very bad


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