French magazine publishes cartoons mocking Islam.

[sandyRoe]

http://uk.news.yahoo....rtoons-075448427.html

When will Private Eye do something similar?

[AB Editor]

"What is interesting however is the fact that political and other satirical type cartoons can be published in Britain, no matter how hurtful they maybe to the persons aimed at, but would any British magazine dare publish anything that may offend Islam."

I think usually it's because they don't want their office to be attacked or to have any of their staff threatened. The reaction from those they usually satire is covered in the Onion article (you can skip down to the relevant bit if you like):

"WASHINGTON—Following the publication of the image above, in which the most cherished figures from multiple religious faiths were depicted engaging in a lascivious sex act of considerable depravity, no one was murdered, beaten, or had their lives threatened, sources reported Thursday. The image of the Hebrew prophet Moses high-fiving Jesus Christ as both are having their erect penises vigorously masturbated by Ganesha, all while the Hindu deity anally penetrates Buddha with his fist, reportedly went online at 6:45 p.m. EDT, after which not a single bomb threat was made against the organization responsible, nor did the person who created the cartoon go home fearing for his life in any way."

IMPORTANT BIT: "Though some members of the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths were reportedly offended by the image, sources confirmed that upon seeing it, they simply shook their heads, rolled their eyes, and continued on with their day."

I think most editors have to weigh up the real human threat to their staff and business - and most err on the side of caution.

[AB Editor]

"I'm offended that nobody can be bothered to be offended."

LOL - the problem is that it's hard to get offended when you're living comfortably in one of the richest countries in the world.

[Zacs-Master]

I was thinking Long the same 'reprisals' line too. The French are far less likely to experience reprisals. If one were conical you could ask the question, have the French produce the cartoon knowing that extremists would target 'other western contries' rather than themselves.

[Zacs-Master]

LOL. Cynical. Not conical.

[AB Editor]

"The French are far less likely to experience reprisals."

Forgive my ignorance - why?

[Duncer]

Don't know if I can agree Zac, given the young disenfranchised Muslim population in France, especially Marseille and Paris. I expected rioting and still think that there may be trouble after prayer tomorrow.

I've always found that a abit of an oxymoron; going to spend time in peaceful self-contemplation and communion with your God, and then following it up with a spot of rioting, looting and carnage. Even Northern Ireland used to operate half-production on Sundays when it came to rioting.

[Zacs-Master]

Because 'rePrisals' take a lot of organising and they are therefore much more likely to happen in a 'high profile' country and I consider ( perhaps wrongly) that the UK much higher on extremists 'hit list' than France.

[sandyRoe]

France experienced bombs in the Metro, in Paris, long before the dreadful attacks in London.

[ichkeria]

Maybe Ian Hislop also doesn't want to do it because it isn't actually all that funny. Comedy boobs and a wig on the Prophet is so predictable and easy.

What WOULD be good, and I hope they'd not be afraid to do it, is something like a front page picture with a caption referencing the issue.

[anotheoldgit]

AB Editor

Regardless of it's religious content, that link you provided was pornographic there could be youngsters on this site.

I am sure it must breach Site Rules and if another AnswerBanker had entered such a thread, I am sure the AB censors would have removed it.

No I am not a 'Mary Whitehouse' type and I am not easily shocked, but I just thought this needed to be pointed out.

[anotheoldgit]

Sandy, why didn't you enter this in the News section?

[ChuckFickens]

"Sandy, why didn't you enter this in the News section?"

He did, Current affairs is a sub topic of news.

[AB Editor]

Hi AOG,

I did put a pretty big warning on it (although, I must say I was expecting a few reports of it for being obscene or something).

I think the Onion makes the point very well, even if it is with a bit of elephant-god-on-budda-action.

It'll probably get removed once the discussion is done.

[anotheoldgit]

ChuckFickens

/// He did, Current affairs is a sub topic of news. ///

Yes I am perfectly aware of that, but you know perfectly well that I was referring to the 'MAIN' News Section, the one most of these 'NEWS' qestions are posted on.

You may be a IT genius Chuck, and you have not only helped many ABers out with their various Technology problems, but also myself who is always grateful to you, even though I apparently don't rate high in the AB popularity stakes.

But why do you have to be so 'nitty picky' it does nothing for your image or goes any way to induce a happy AnswerBank by alienating yourself to others?

[AB Editor]

Could we, for once, not have a personal argument on a News thread?

[vetuste_ennemi]

Is Ab Editor trying to re-establish his liberal credential after censoring Jom's post about the Mohammed film? Would you have posted your onion link had the cartoon included the prophet, Ed. Don't bother to answer: I've already read your weasel explanation for the withdrawal of the Jom thread.

[vetuste_ennemi]

In the interests of civility I withdraw my use of the words weasel explanation in my last post and replace them with "your explanation which some might think cowardly and unprincipled".

[AB Editor]

Glad you've made your mind up.

I'm not sure what was "weasely" about my reply.

I've outlined above why an editor might not want to publish such things.

For the record, I almost did post the onion link on that thread :) I didn't because I expected complaints a bit like AOG's.

[rockyracoon]

Damn you Ed, that link made me giggle, now I'll have to go to mass and say 3 Hail Marys. ;)

[anotheoldgit]

Good Afternoon

AB Editor,

/// I didn't because I expected complaints a bit like AOG's. ///

That wasn't a complaint per-se only pointing out what I considered a perfectly valid criticism, on your need to enter such material.