Press liberty versus respect

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 02/07/2006 10:42 AM | Opinion

Stein Kristiansen, Yogyakarta

Some European newspapers have recently published cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad and still defend it. Others have regretted their actions and editors have been fired. The newspaper that first published the pictures has apologized for causing offense. The vast majority of western media have decided not to publish the insulting pictures in respect of all Muslims. An important debate is ongoing all over Europe, however, on how to strike the balance between liberty of the press and respect for religious faiths.

Some argue that liberty of the media must be set above the fear of being offensive. The freedom of the media to question and provoke has undoubtedly played an important role in reducing oppression and injustices around the world. For that sake, it is said, we should also respect the difference between satire and blasphemy.

What certainly deserves the critical attention of the media, also in the form of cartoons, are oppressive and violent actions. Even governments may be oppressive and violent, and the roles of media and governments must therefore be separated.

Logically, it is not the duty of European governments to apologize for media publishing the offensive cartoons. It is generally agreed that a government cannot be held responsible for the actions of a newspaper.

Most are of the opinion, however, that certain values, like sacred symbols and ethnic equity, must be set above the right to provoke. Journalists and editors need to establish their own ethical rules to avoid blasphemy and racism. Freedom of expression must not be used as an excuse to insult religions or ethnic groups.

Liberty of the press should be cherished as a source for progress and not abused as a means to offend. That is also why editors apologize and most people in Europe feel the need to do the same in the current cartoon case. The message must be conveyed by the civil society, that Muslims are deeply respected for the essentials of their religion and that the insulting of Islam is condemned. There is also the universal hope that even insults should be reacted to with kindness.

In many Muslim countries, there is a widespread perception of western culture and politics as arrogant and imperialistic and we all know why. What is genuine in Europe today, however, is an openness and respect for alternatives to mainstream western materialism and rude egoism. Altruism is being institutionalized and young people line up to study religions and non-western history and traditions.

Never before have so many Europeans searched for new places and cultures to learn alternative ways of living and thinking, with the deepest esteem. There is no clash of civilizations but more than ever opportunities to bridge gaps between them. Bridges are built by tolerance and respect.

The writer is a Norwegian Professor of Development Studies, currently working with Gadjah Mada University.

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