Polls & Research

Americans Chide European Papers Over Cartoons

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe some media outlets made a mistake in publishing cartoons depicting Muslim prophet Mohammed, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 61 per cent of respondents believe certain European newspapers acted irresponsibly.

On Sept. 30, 2005, Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten accompanied an article on censorship and freedom of the press with 12 cartoons depicting Muslim prophet Mohammed. The two most contentious drawings show Mohammed with a bomb for a turban, and greeting suicide bombers in heaven.

The article noted that Danish writer Kare Bluitgen had faced many difficulties in finding an illustrator for a children's book that featured Mohammed. Islam usually forbids depictions of Mohammed, as a measure to curb idolatry.

Over the past few weeks, several European newspapers and media outlets decided to re-print the cartoons. Public protests have occurred in more than a dozen countries, and the embassies of Denmark and Norway in Syria—as well as the Danish consulate in Lebanon—have been torched by mobs. 61 per cent of respondents think this controversy is due more to the intolerance of Muslims to different points of view, while 21 per cent blame the lack of respect for the Islamic religion in Western nations.

The Jyllands-Posten has issued an apology, saying it did not intend to offend Muslims. Culture editor Flemming Rose explained that the public outcry over the drawings happened after "radical imams from Denmark traveled to the Middle East, deliberately lying about these cartoons." 57 per cent of respondents think the U.S. media have an obligation to show controversial items that are newsworthy, even if they may offend the religious views of some people.

On Feb. 8 during a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, U.S. president George W. Bush said, "I first want to make it very clear to people around the world that ours is a nation that believes in tolerance and understanding. In America we welcome people of all faiths. (...) Secondly, we believe in a free press. We also recognize that with freedom come responsibilities. With freedom comes the responsibility to be thoughtful about others. (...) I call upon the governments around the world to stop the violence, to be respectful, to protect property, protect the lives of innocent diplomats who are serving their countries overseas."

Polling Data

As you may know, several newspapers in Europe recently printed cartoons showing Mohammed, the founder of Islam, in ways that offended the religious views of many Muslims. Do you think the European newspapers that printed those cartoons acted responsibly or irresponsibly?

Overall, do you think this controversy is due more to?

Which comes closer to your view—the U.S. news media have an obligation to show controversial items that are newsworthy even if they may offend the religious views of some people, the U.S. news media have an obligation to avoid offending the religious views of some people even if that prevents them from showing controversial items that are newsworthy?