BBC to broadcast "offensive" cartoons, what shall I do?
Discussion
yahoo news said:
The BBC said it would broadcast the cartoons which have caused a storm of protest in the Islamic world and led to the sacking of a French newspaper editor.
The cartoons include an image of the prophet Muhammad with a turban shaped like a bomb, and another showing him saying that paradise was running out of virgins.
The BBC emphasised that the images would be broadcast "responsibly" and "in full context" and "to give audiences an understanding of the strong feelings evoked by the story".
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The row began when a Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, originally printed the series of cartoons.
The Muslim Association of Britain has accused the newspaper of "flagrant disregard to feelings of Muslims throughout the world".
The cartoons led Saudi Arabia and Syria to withdraw their ambassadors to Copenhagen, and sparked demonstrations in Palestine. There have been angry demonstrations across the Middle East and calls for boycotts of Danish products.
On Wednesday, about a dozen Palestinian gunmen briefly surrounded the offices of the European Union in Gaza, demanding an apology over the cartoons.
The controversy intensified when French newspaper France Soir reprinted the 12 original cartoons - a decision which led the newspaper's owner to sack the editor, Jacques Lefranc. Publications in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain also re-ran the images on Wednesday to demonstrate their support for free speech.
Islamic tradition forbids portrayal of the prophet for fear this could lead to idolatry.
A BBC spokesman said: "We'll use them responsibly and in full context to give audiences an understanding of the strong feelings evoked by the story."
So, what are your opinions on this. Personally I think it's absolutely correct, in fact I was annoyed when they broadcast the story yesterday but refused to show the cartoons. Glad to see they aren't running scared of a few nutjobs.
>> Edited by wolves_wanderer on Thursday 2nd February 15:53
wolves_wanderer said:
and another showing him saying that paradise was running out of virgins.
Interesting thing this, now do they let themselves get tied down to whether or not the virgins are female? or indeed what if the suicide fruitcake is a woman? What does she get? Can't see her being too impressed with a crowd of blokes who pop their cork before they get their pants down.
>> Edited by TeamD on Thursday 2nd February 15:59
One cannot pretend to have free speech - and then be upset when someone uses it.
Once cannot pretend to have free speech - if the state and media censor it when someone is offended.
The principle of truly free speech must be preserved.
I am quite sure that many media will print condemnations of these cartoons. They have the right to say as much and as horrid and rude as they like the newspapers and its editors - because we Europeans believe in free speech.
One can't have it both ways.
Once cannot pretend to have free speech - if the state and media censor it when someone is offended.
The principle of truly free speech must be preserved.
I am quite sure that many media will print condemnations of these cartoons. They have the right to say as much and as horrid and rude as they like the newspapers and its editors - because we Europeans believe in free speech.
One can't have it both ways.
Jaglover said:Good point JL, I am embarrassed that no newspaper had the bottle to print them. What kind of society do we live in where people feel unable to make a statement for fear of "offending" some minority or other, what about the majority who couldn't care less?
Bravo to the papers that did publish them for making a stand for free speech. A shame that no paper in this country has been so brave.
It seems that in many western countries free speech is already taking a back seat to fanaticism.
BTW This is not a dig at muslims as they are not the only ones responsible (Christians trying to ban the Jerry Springer opera, Sikhs getting a play taken off in Birmingham etc etc.) The sooner we can freely debate/take the mick out of all religions the better as far as I'm concerned.
Yugguy said:
I did read a piece once about the bit in the Koran that says they'll be rewarded by virgins. The writer claimed it actually should have been translated as bottles of wine So they won't get laid but they'll be too drunk to care.
I thought it was supposed to be a mistranslation of grapes?
Yugguy said:
I did read a piece once about the bit in the Koran that says they'll be rewarded by virgins. The writer claimed it actually should have been translated as bottles of wine So they won't get laid but they'll be too drunk to care.
I heard the passage really said a type of fruit, but was mistranslated.
Ever since then i've had this vision of a sex starved and wild eyed suicide bomber turning up in muslim heaven 'right where's the girls' he says and he gets handed a barrel of fruit.
TeamD said:
I did read a piece once about the bit in the Koran that says they'll be rewarded by virgins. The writer claimed it actually should have been translated as bottles of wine So they won't get laid but they'll be too drunk to care.
But they don't drink???
Don't they? No wonder they go nuts.
Yugguy said:A religion which specifically bans alcohol to the living gets them pissed when they're dead? - that doesn't sound right. Where are the muslim PHs to confirm or deny?
I did read a piece once about the bit in the Koran that says they'll be rewarded by virgins. The writer claimed it actually should have been translated as bottles of wine So they won't get laid but they'll be too drunk to care.
I personally am greatly offended when I see the Union flag being burned spat on and stamped upon, but I shan't be taking up arms, issuing fatwas or otherwise making a huge fuss. Too many of my ancestors have died protecting the right to freedom of expression in this country for me to abuse their memory by going against all they fought for.
I hope that, if the pictures merit being shown (in print or TV) for journalistic reasons, then the UK press would have the guts to print them. Failure to do so would be an abdication of their responsibilities - whatever the religious sensitivities involved.
Andy
I hope that, if the pictures merit being shown (in print or TV) for journalistic reasons, then the UK press would have the guts to print them. Failure to do so would be an abdication of their responsibilities - whatever the religious sensitivities involved.
Andy
Right then... so what have we got?
Virgins that may be wine that may be grapes or some other sort of miscellaneous fruit.
Now don't get me wrong, but if the Koran is supposed to be the actual words of god then he's clearly off his piggin' rocker. I still want to know what female suicide bombers reckon their payback is gonna be when they get to heaven.
Virgins that may be wine that may be grapes or some other sort of miscellaneous fruit.
Now don't get me wrong, but if the Koran is supposed to be the actual words of god then he's clearly off his piggin' rocker. I still want to know what female suicide bombers reckon their payback is gonna be when they get to heaven.
Einion Yrth said:
I did read a piece once about the bit in the Koran that says they'll be rewarded by virgins. The writer claimed it actually should have been translated as bottles of wine So they won't get laid but they'll be too drunk to care.
Apparently they are making bomb threats to the Danish newspaper that origionally ran this story last week.
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