"Cartoon wars"
- The controversy
- On Sept. 30, 2005, Jyllands-Posten, a Danish newspaper, published this series of cartoons of the Muslim prophet, Muhammad.
- After roughly 50 newspapers internationally published the cartoons, many in the Middle East protested, resulting in an estimated 100 deaths and fire being set to European embassies in the region.
- Many American editors consequently decided to not publish the cartoon, whether in broadcast or print, which lead to a discussion of what constitutes freedom of expression.
- Required reading: Discussion of the cartoon's controversy
- The (animated) cartoon
- During this controversy, South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker produced an episode about the legitimacy of cartoons.
- Using standard characters, the South Park episode debates the legitimacy of airing an episode of Family Guy, an animated series that airs on Fox. One character (Cartman) attempts to have an individual Family Guy episode removed, while another (Kyle) attempts to ensure its being aired.
- In the Family Guy episode, the Muslim prophet Muhammad appears, which does not concern South Park characters, who maintain different opinions about the general value of the program.
- During the broadcast of this episode of South Park, Comedy Central (its programmer) prohibited the image of being displayed. Instead, a black-and-white screen displayed this message: "Comedy Central has refused to broadcast an image of Mohammed on their network."
- The assignment
- Watch this South Park episode: Cartoon Wars #1
- Watch this South Park episode: Cartoon Wars #2
- Go to your Blackboard-Vista site on csuchico.edu and answer the applicable question (see next section).
Your assignment
- Answer the following: Should Stone and Parker have had the ability to depict Muhammad in "Cartoon Wars" on cable television?
- Why or why not?
- What consequences -- either in terms of potential unrest or silencing of voices -- may arise from your decision? Do you consider these reasonable?
- Is there a moral obligation on the part of creators of mass culture, such as Stone and Parker, to respect the religious beliefs of their audience?
- Consider the following:
- How to answer
- Sign into on Blackboard-Vista, using your Chico State portal user name and password
- Select "Discussions" from the left navigation bar.
- Select "South Park discussion"
- Answer format
- You must answer in three individual comments on the discussion board.
- Your comment should be at least 75 words.
