SUPPORT CARTOONISTS RIGHTS, MARKING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
by Terry Anderson
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Almost a decade ago,
cartoonists everywhere were alerted to an unfolding event in the city of Paris,
France. There aren’t that many in the profession, so everyone has a friend (or
at least a friend of a friend) in France. Via social media posts and text
messages on the morning of January 7th, 2015, it became apparent
that something had happened at the office of Charlie Hebdo magazine. By
the end of the day, it was known that twelve people, among them five of
France’s best-known cartoonists, were dead. Within a week, crowds of a size not
seen in the post-war period had gathered in Paris and world-leaders walked
arm-in-arm, declaring their commitment to free expression.
As we approach the
tenth anniversary of that day, much has changed. France indelibly so –
cartoonists’ events there still take place under armed guard – while the rest
of the world has either qualified or largely forgotten the spirit of “Je Suis
Charlie”. Free speech has become a political football, and a favored hobby
horse of authoritarians and populists.
When asked, cartoonists no longer cite the violence of rogue
fundamentalists as their chief concern. Indeed, it's now those chummy world
leaders who made a conspicuous showing of solidarity on Parisian streets whom
they’re most worried about.
Increasingly, editorial and political cartoonists are abused and threatened online by party-politically motivated trolls, often en masse. They are criminalized under vaguely worded cyber security or anti-misinformation laws, jailed for “insulting” the government, judiciary, or army, and in the worst cases labelled seditionists and terrorists. For many, their only choice is to go into exile.
Cartoonists Rights Network International (or CARTOONISTS RIGHTS for short) was incorporated in 1999, the world’s first human rights non-profit with such cartoonists in mind. Founded by Dr. Robert “Bro” Russell, a resident of Virginia, over the last five years the organization’s program has been led by Executive Director Terry Anderson. Currently our president is Matt Wuerker (Politico). Other press cartoonists who currently or in the past have served as directors or advisors include Michael de Adder, Kevin “Kal” Kallaugher, Marc Murphy, Pat Oliphant, Joel Pett, and Ann Telnaes, as well as Dr. John A. Lent, founder of the IJOCA.
Like all non-profits, CARTOONISTS RIGHTS is now operating in a uniquely hostile environment. The passage of bill H.R. 9495 from House of Representatives to the Senate brings the Presidency one step closer to sweeping powers to penalize civil and human rights organizations.
Nevertheless, should any cartoonist in the USA be characterized as an “enemy within” during the next four years, they can expect the same level of commitment from us that we have extended to cartoonists from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America in the last quarter-century.
Last year, we welcomed Abecor – a press cartoonist from Bolivia – to the National Press Club to receive the Robert Russell Courage in Cartooning Award after he had been harassed online and in person, and he and his family threatened with violence by partisans.
“For me and for my country this award is very important, since it renews the sense of preserving the right to free expression and knowing that artists, journalists and especially cartoonists around the world do not walk alone.” – Abecor
In recent years our award has been given in an alternating pattern with the FREEDOM CARTOONISTS FOUNDATION, Geneva. And so, in 2025 it falls to us once more to recognize a cartoonist whose bravery has exemplified adherence to democratic ideals and the principle of free expression under duress. The event will take place at a Washington, DC venue on May 3rd – World Press Freedom Day. More details to be announced nearer the time.
To support CARTOONISTS RIGHTS, please consider contributing during our Pledge Drive, commencing on “Giving Tuesday”, December 3rd.
Visit cartoonistsrights.org/donate and keep an eye on our social media for further announcements through the next three weeks: Bluesky – @cartoonistsrights.org • Facebook/Instagram – @cartoonistsrights • Mastodon – @cartooniststrights@newsie.social
