Framing the cartoon controversy

Conflict continues today in response to 12 editorial cartoons depicting the seventh-century founder of Islam, Muhammad, originally published in a Danish newspaper in September, 2005.

Many Westerners frame the issue as one of free speech, citing the importance of freedom from any type of censorship. Others, primarily Muslim but not all, depict the issue as one of responsibility and respect, calling the publication of the cartoons "cultural terrorism." What is the responsibility of the media in this case?

Here are excerpts from a conversation on the Guardian website, a newspaper in London: Should the cartoons have been published?

Muslims who are protesting don't comprehend the European tradition of free speech, critical debate and vigorous satire. Freedom of speech is more important than religious sensitivities.
Terry Sanderson, National Secular Society

Free speech comes first and foremost - there is no automatic right to be protected from possible offence, whether on the basis of an individual's superstition (ie, Islam, Christianity etc), or choice of football team.
Posted by Paul J on Guardian Unlimited website

In the UK, we've developed a tolerant tradition where Christianity can be criticised and ridiculed. It's part of our culture - seen in Monty Python and numerous stand-up comedians. It doesn't mean we hate Christians, it means it's an ideology that can be deconstructed and challenged. Islam is not a privileged exception.
Posted by Jo on Guardian Unlimited website

These cartoons are offensive. They're not about freedom of speech. Nobody's disputing that there is freedom of speech in Europe. It's about exercising restraint and sensibility. Editors must have known that enormous offence would be caused to Muslims. One of the unfortunate outcomes will be that extremists are best placed to benefit from the situation. These caricatures are gross.
Inayat Bunglawala, Muslim Council of Britain

We should show some respect, because through respect you get common civilisation. Papers shouldn't do or not do something because of how Muslims might react. They should feel responsible and sensitive. You have the right to sneeze but you don't have the right to sneeze in my face. Be prepared for a backlash.
Ajmal Masroor, imam, spokesman for Islamic Society Britain

As for the sacred cow of "freedom of expression", principles are only good so long as they have good applications, I could hardly think of a worse application than what has happened here. The only thing it has done is it has strengthened bigots and hardliners on both sides. Virtually all the papers that published the wretched images were rightwing in nature. Who benefits from xenophobic paranoia and distrust? The right wing of course.
Posted by 56000xp on Guardian Unlimited website

Muslims are an easy target in Europe, even though there are more people who understand Islam and respect it and would be prepared to defend Muslims in their community. How are you going to stop jihad and suicide bombers and extremists if you allow Islam to be derided in this way? Bashing Islam has become an industry.
Baroness Uddin, House of Lords

Are there other ways to view this issue? What can we learn from this that would inform how we do journalism in communities that are both intensely local and global at the same time?