Political Play Action Analysis

On Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Danish newspapers, along with other publications in Sweden, the Netherlands and Spain, published controversial cartoon pictures depicting Muhammad. These cartoons were originally published in 2006 and caused a wave of protest among Muslims in both Europe and the Middle East. Word of these cartoons reached the U.S. as well and provoked a global dialogue about the presence of Muslims in the Western World. The Danish papers vehemently defended their freedom of speech right to publish these religiously charged cartoons. This incident was emotionally charged because these cartoons emerged in a time when Europe was experiencing increased amounts of anti-Muslim sentiment. The fact that these were published approximately a year after the devastating London bombings did not help matters for Muslim’s trying to protect their religious dignity.

I consider the Danish paper’s re-publishing of these “offensive” cartoons a Peacock. While the media might not always be considered a traditional player, in this case, I think they were clearly executing a premeditated play. This play is the media engaging in the social dialogue. A spokesperson for the newspaper publicly announced that “We are doing this to document what is at stake in this case, and to unambiguously support the freedom of speech that we as a newspaper will always defend.” This paper, and the others that joined them in rerunning the cartoons, intends to keep this issue at the forefront of European citizens’ minds. There was a clear intent here to stimulate a buzz and perhaps reinvigorate the passion of the country. By republishing these controversial cartoons the publications were saying we can do this because we have freedom of speech and we intend to exercise it no matter how controversial the subject may be.

Initially, I thought this could be considered a Challenge by the paper but to whom? Why would these newspapers across Europe want to anger Muslim groups that could potentially enact violence against their employees and country’s citizens. Rather, I believe this move was a strong Peacock. It got people talking; it is reinforcing the original move by the papers into the minds of Europe. It is also a reminder to Muslims, as outsiders, that they cannot rattle the basic rights instilled in European, and western, law and society. This is a bold move done just because the papers can and I believe it was their intention to flash their feathers in the eyes of those who have attempted to disrupt Western European society and try to infringe upon their right to free speech.

Source: Wall Street Journal, Feb. 12, 2008, Danish Newspapers Reprint Caricature of Muhammad

Post by Caroline Grossman, MA candidate