ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the notion of freedom of expression vs social responsibility and considers the contested worldviews in this matter. It analyses two specific examples about the cartoons controversies about Prophet Muhammad from the French newspaper Charlie Hebdo and Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. These cases, which ignited cross-culture differences regarding the boundaries of free speech and had inevitably global impact and wide criticism. Miladi also explores the roots of such problem of misunderstanding which is engendered in the systematic French attitude towards Muslim. This chapter further engages with the questions of where should the media draw the line between the sacred value of free speech and respect of sacred religious symbols? Does freedom of speech have limits? Does social responsibility come first, or does freedom of the individual supersede all other benefits? Worldviews regarding this, argues Miladi, have obviously been divergent. However, in this chapter he suggests that political cartoons as a form of satire should not be different from any other journalistic genre when it comes to raising ethical considerations. Also, the right to freedom of expression should not be mistaken with the right to freedom of opinion, thought and religion. Freedom of expression, is a right with outward reach and public scope that might well interfere with the rights of others.
