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UPEI CADR

UPEI’S STUDENT VOICE

Fesruary 22, 2006

Sports: Page 11

VoLuME 36, Issue 11

Letters to the Editor

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Cadre Ba on C ampus

Cartoons Cause Media Frenzy - Censorship Ensues

Stacey Murray Reporter

UPEI made national headlines again last week after The Cadre became the first publication in Canada to reprint 12 cartoons depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad. The cartoons, which have surfaced internationally, have increased Muslim tensions, and sparked violent protests. They have also opened up a debate concerning freedom of speech and freedom of expression, and have left many people divided on the issue

CBC caught wind of the story after The Cadre online released editorial content before the print version was put into circulation on February 8th. When questioned by CBC about the re-printing of the cartoons, UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan immediately banned The Cadre from being distributed on campus, without reading any of the offending issue.

Although initially supportive of The Cadre’s right to print the cartoons, the Student Union, who is also The Cadre’s publisher, revoked their support within the day.

Initially Ryan Gallant, Student Union President, didn’t see The Cadre’s decision as a major issue. After speaking to students, faculty members, and administration, he decided to take action. “Our [the SU] first instinct was to make sure that we had all the copies of The Cadre so that the SU would have

control of what would happen to them instead of the administration or an outside party. Personally, I worked for The Cadre for two and a half years, and with my first instinct being about freedom of the press, the idea was that the SU was the publisher and should have control of what happens.”

The Cadre maintained possession of copies of the newspaper, and considered distributing them off- campus. After meetings on the matter, the Student Union threatened legal action unless the copies were handed over. The Cadre considered its options, but did in the end agree to return the papers.

Gallant said the Student Union has decided not to take any further action against editorial staff at The Cadre. “The issue has come to a reasonable solution. The Student Union’s two requests of returning the papers, and having a statement made to the public from The Cadre staff, were both fulfilled.”

In the end, Gallant believes they made the right decision. “We made the decision that we thought was best for the students we represent on campus.”

The 1700 undistributed copies of the Cadre will be recycled.

University administration also took a stance against the newspaper. President Wade MacLauchlan’s initial reaction to the issue was that The Cadre was “jumping on a bandwagon that has already gone over the cliff.” He

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The Cartoons: A Timeline

also said, “one has to act very quickly [in matters like this], and I felt very strongly that this was not our place.”

He understands why this is such an important issue. “TI think journalists

the world over are struggling with -

this.” He doesn’t believe his actions will reflect badly on the University’s Journalism Program.

The cartoons were first printed in a Danish newspaper last September, and since then many European newspapers have reprinted them, each defending their freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Muslims have held protests, both peaceful and violent, as many Muslims view the cartoons as an attack on their religion.

Over 20 deaths and the burning of a Danish and Norwegian Embassy, have followed. In the days following the banning of the issues many have accused The Cadre staff of trying to stir up the controversy in Canada. Editor in Chief, Ray Keating, defended his position. “The motivation really was, in essence, to share the information. It wasn’t to be offensive or to be agitators.” Keating felt that although the story had been heavily covered, few had actually seen the images that have had such a negative impact around the world. The images wete meant to give context to

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