BushCo. says that European newspapers need to practice self-censorship instead.
“These cartoons are indeed offensive to the belief of Muslims,” State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said in answer to a question. “We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable.”
Since BushCo has already indicated it expects political self censorship from American newspapers, this should be no surprise.
Nor, because of the fact that corporatist American media has largely accepted this idea, should it be any surprise that American newspapers have generally bought into this by refusing to reprint the cartoon.
Apparently, with the statement of Cooper, Bush thinks European newspapers should roll over and play dead in the same way. Fortunately, in a show of support for the original Danish newspaper, they have done exactly the opposite.
And, where’s the media in general’s) solidarity? A couple of years ago, with the change in Spanish governments and other things, everybody was decrying “old Europe” for backing down to Muslims. Now, “old Europe’s” press stands up to Muslim fanatics and is told to lie down.
It’s no wonder that, despite the different foibles of the media across the pond, most Americans wonder why most Europeans don't genuflect to the altar of American media and its alleged greatness. Well, now you know.
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