Posted on 02/08/2006 12:30:10 PM PST by summer
NEW YORK-- A relatively small daily newspaper in Victorville, Calif., is one of the few in the U.S. to run one of the Muhammad cartoons sparking riots and killings abroad.
Don Holland, the editor of the Freedom Communications Inc. paper, the Daily Press, explains in a column today, "I'm sure most Americans are curious about this controversial cartoon, which depicts the Muslim prophet Mohammed with a bomb in his turban.
"The mindless violence by Islamic radicals is par for the course. But what is incredible is that the Associated Press, which distributes news stories and photos from across the globe, has decided that you shouldn't see it."
The Daily Press has a daily circulation just under 31,000.
The point is not whether the cartoon is offensive or not," Holland writes. "The point is that it is part of a worldwide news story. ...
"What is offensive is that AP fancies itself to be the guardian of good taste for thousands of American newspapers rather than letting individual newspapers make that decision.
"AP's philosophy also strikes at the heart of a free press and the elementary principles of libertarian thought -- that individuals have the God-given right to read what they please and decide for themselves what is and isn't offensive. ...
"Years ago, the Daily Press received numerous calls when we published a photo of victims of the Rwandan genocide. Certainly that was a newsworthy, albeit disturbing, image.
"The source of the riots and mayhem is not a cartoon. It is growing friction in a clash of cultures."
E&P Staff (letters@editorandpublisher.com)
FYI.
Why blame the AP? They are a wire service, but they don't control what papers do or do not print.
Why blame the AP? They are a wire service, but they don't control what papers do or do not print.
Where's the cartoon?????????
The high-desert rats still have some independent thinkers. Good to see the libs from the valley haven't taken over completely.
Bravo, Don Holland and the Daily Press!
I thought this image was offensive to Muslims, but it was published by lots of newspapers, including the Washington Post. It was also put on television, night after night, for weeks.
What am I missing?
(steely)
Good for him.
Editorsandpublishers.com is a left-wing site worse than most of the media it represents. I notice that they publish this guy's name, making him more vulnerable to Muslims who might decide to kill him, but they don't publish the picture. It's OK if somebody else gets killed, but very few of the media want to risk their own hides.
It's the same with casualties in Iraq. If a soldier is killed, it's a useful statistic. If a reporter gets killed, it's a terrible tragedy.
I like Mohammed and the president of Iran riding a nuke like Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove
Me too. Spite tastes good after breakfast.
Guess you did not see this Asso Propaganda apprently decided to censor the images. Since the images are the story it is complete contrary to the Junk Journalists pretentions to being the defenders of the people's right to know for them to refuse to publish the images. Apprently some religions are more equal then others when it come to the Asso Propaganda Editors deciding what is "offensive".
"...What am I missing?..."
What you are missing is the fact that everything offends the Muslims. What gets me is are the muzzies so embarrassed about Mohammed that even they don't want to see his image? I believe they are. I've seen Jesus portrayed in many ways. the only time I was offended was the images of the Crucifix in urine. Otherwise, no problem. I'm proud of my Lord and Savior. What are they affraid of?
I think AP is refusing to distribute the pixs.
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