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Türkiye: censors find cartoon criminally “obscene”

Türkiye: censors find cartoon criminally “obscene”

by Terry Anderson | Mar 14, 2024 | News

Cartoonist Zehra Ömeroğlu is at risk of imprisonment after a cartoon published in LeMan magazine in 2020 was found obscene by a board of censors in Türkiye.

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A statement on social media policy

A statement on social media policy

by Terry Anderson | Dec 22, 2023 | News

Effective immediately CARTOONISTS RIGHTS will cease posting to Twitter/X, citing mismanagement, disfunction, and increased hatred on the social media platform.

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Atena Farghadani awaits verdict from Iranian court

Atena Farghadani awaits verdict from Iranian court

by Terry Anderson | Dec 18, 2023 | News

Atena Farghadani faces the prospect of criminalisation for the second time in the Islamic Republic of Iran, having stood trial in recent days on charges of insulting the Supreme Leader, Intelligence Ministry officials, and the Minister of Intelligence with a cartoon.

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Cartoonists on the Line – report on the situation of threatened cartoonists around the world

Cartoonists on the Line – report on the situation of threatened cartoonists around the world

by Terry Anderson | Nov 7, 2023 | News

Cartoonists Rights and Cartooning for Peace present their joint report on threatened cartoonists – Cartoonists on the Line.

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Coming soon: report on threatened cartoonists worldwide

Coming soon: report on threatened cartoonists worldwide

by Terry Anderson | Oct 20, 2023 | News

CARTOONISTS RIGHTS are pleased to announce a new report on the situation of cartoonists facing threats to their freedom of expression around the world, written jointly with colleagues at Cartooning for Peace, and supported by our partners the Freedom Cartoonists Foundation.

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Two partner organizations on either side of the Atlantic – Cartoonists Rights and Freedom Cartoonists – combine forces with a unified program of international awards, recognizing the world’s bravest cartoonists facing threats to their freedom of expression:

Awarded on odd years by Cartoonists Rights in Washington, D.C.

To our Award

Awarded on even years by Freedom Cartoonists in Geneva

To their Award
Read more on this international collabroation
Since 2022, Cartoonists Rights has worked with its partner organization in Geneva, the Freedom Cartoonists Foundation, on an alternating pattern of bi-annual awards presentations recognizing the contribution made by cartoonists exemplifying the spirit of free expression and continuing to work despite difficult circumstances or direct threats to their human rights. In order to cement the partnership, the President of each organization holds an honorary position on the other’s Board of Directors.

These awards are conceived as a means of advocating for the safety and freedom of cartoonists under extreme duress and are ultimately intended as a contribution toward the solution of those problems, and in furtherance of the cartoonists’ careers. Hence, neither is awarded posthumously.

On each occasion at least one cartoonist is honored, however it is not unusual for multiple awards to be given (such are the numbers of potentially worthy recipients). While some of the most talented and well-known cartoonists on Earth have been counted among the winners, the awards are not given in recognition of artistic excellence or lifetime achievements. Rather, they are an acknowledgment of bravery, resilience, and dedication to democratic ideals.

Between the two the International Courage in Cartooning Awards have honored more than forty cartoonists around the world, hailing from Algeria, Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Denmark, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere. Alternating from one side of the Atlantic to the other each year, they represent a truly global initiative to support and defend cartoonists’ freedom of expression.

 

The Kofi Annan Courage in Cartooning Award

Given by Freedom Cartoonists Foundation in even-numbered years and named after the Honorary Chairman of the foundation, the late Dr Kofi Annan, this award is presented in Geneva by the Mayor of the City on World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd). The award is granted on the recommendation of an independent jury composed of members from different backgrounds: Mayoralty of Geneva, Presidents of the foundation and partner organizations, defenders of human rights and personalities known for their commitment to freedom of expression. Nominees are pre-selected with the help of our partner organizations, Association Cartooning for Peace in Paris and Cartoonists Rights.

The next award will be announced in 2028.

Learn more about the latest winners, Safaa Odah and Jimmy Ssentongo.

 

The Robert Russell Courage in Cartooning Award

Given by Cartoonists Rights Network International in odd-numbered years and named after the founder and former Executive Director of the organization, Dr Robert “Bro” Russell, this award is generally announced in Washington, DC. Following an open call for nominations, the Board of Directors select a winner or winners from a shortlist prepared by the Executive Director. In past years, the award was presented as part of the program at the annual convention of the Association of America Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) as well as the Stanley Awards, given by the Australian Cartoonists Association (ACA), and at the Lakes International Comic Arts Festival (LICAF).

The next award will be announced in 2027.

Learn more about the latest winner, Zehra Ömeroğlu

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