CMM Debate: The Muhammad Cartoon Crisis

Students in the Communication and Mass Media program got the unique opportunity to experience the Danish Muhammad cartoon controversy first hand..

September 16, 2009

When Danish newspaper, Jyllandsposten, decided to print cartoons depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammed, it sparked an international crisis. Among other things, a fatwa threatening  the Danish cartoonists was issued,  and in Lebanon the Danish embassy was burnt to the ground during the turmoil following the printing.

Students in the Communication and Mass Media program got the unique opportunity to experience the Danish Muhammad cartoon controversy first hand during a field study debate this Wednesday.  CMM students joined both Jyllandsposten journalist Mikael Jalving and a member of the Islamic society in Denmark, Kamram Iqbal, to debate freedom of speech versus the respect for religion.

Students asked  questions  to get their own take on a controversy that divided the nation and challenged the field of journalism worldwide.