As news happens, political cartoonists around the globe take up their brush pen or pencil and come up with images and often a few choice words to comment on the events of the day. Each week, The World’s Carol Hills selects a group of cartoons that reflect on issues in the news. For cartoons prior to June 2009, please click here.
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Peru’s President Orders Environmental Clean Up in Amazon Oil Region
Peru’s president Ollanta Humala was elected in 2011 partly on a pledge to protect the environment, and his administration recently made its most dramatic move yet. It declared a state of emergency in the Pastaza RIver basin, and gave an Argentinian oil company operating there three months to clean up.
Why Political Cartoons Make People So Mad
If you’re mad about something on TV, in a magazine or even a radio program like The World, you can write to us. But if you’re the subject of a political cartoon or caricature and you disagree with it, what do you do? It’s that sense of helplessness that prompted The Nation’s longtime editor and publisher Victor Navasky to write a book out the power of cartoons.
Bangladeshi Cartoonists Draw on the Garment Factory Tragedy
People around the globe have seen the heart-breaking images from the scene of the garment factory collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. But Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, a cartoonist for The Dhaka Tribune, says it’s gut-wrenching to see it up close. His cartoons celebrate the outpouring of help from Bangladeshis rich and poor, but they also call out episodes of political opportunism.
Cartoonists Remember Margaret Thatcher, In Their Own Way
Marco Werman speaks with The World’s cartoon editor Carol Hills about how political cartoonists around the globe are remembering Margaret Thatcher. Hint: Feelings are divided.
Journalist Mai El Shoush Creates Arab Comic Book Heroine, Rayann Lawsonia
A Sudan-born reporter saw the need for a modern, intelligent, female heroine and has come out with a new super heroine, Rayann Lawsonia.
Outrage Over Soldiers Killed in Central African Republic
Marco Werman speaks with The World’s Carol Hills about an incident that’s showing up in a lot of South African political cartoons. Thirteen South African soldiers died on March 23rd in Central African Republic as they engaged rebels there who were advancing on the capital, Bangui, to oust the president. Many South Africans are wondering what their soldiers were doing in Central African Republic in the first place and are demanding answers from President Jacob Zuma.
Joseph Kony’s War in Central Africa – in Comics Form
Remember “Kony 2012″? That film went viral last year and put Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army in the cross-hairs of millions of outraged citizens. The World’s Carol Hills reports on a new graphic novel by war correspondent David Axe that’s using a different medium — comics journalism — to shine a light light on the still at-large Joseph Kony.
Cartoon Slideshow: Satirists Welcome the New Pope
Electing a new pope is a solemn affair but now that he’s been elected (and it is still a ‘he’), well, Pope Francis is fair game for satirists. In this selection of cartoonists’ first impressions, look for white smoke in the shape of a continent, a reference to tango and more than one allusion to another Argentinian who has touched the hand of God. Hint: he played soccer.
Palestinian Cartoonist Mohammad Saba’aneh Jailed (but not Charged) by Israel
Aaron Schachter speaks with Israeli cartoonist Uri Fink about the case of fellow cartoonist Mohammad Saba’aneh, a Palestinian who is one of some 4,800 Palestinians being held in Israeli jails. Saba’aneh is being held without charge and cartoonists around the globe as well as journalist and human rights groups are demanding his release.
Sentences for War Criminals in Bangladesh Prompt Both Peace and Violence
Marco Werman speaks with The World’s Cartoon Editor Carol Hills about a war crimes tribunal in Bangladesh that’s finally bringing to justice those accused of atrocities during the 1971 war of independence. But what kind of punishment the war criminals should get is causing both peace and violence.
Cartoon Slideshow: Benedict Vacates the Vatican
He’s no longer Pope. He’s now “Roman Pontiff Emeritus” or “Pope Emeritus” for short. And as for his purpose now, the ex-Pontiff said he’s “simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth.” But that hasn’t stopped the Catholic flock and those outside the flock from asking everything from ‘what just happened?’ to ‘what now?’ Here’s how several political cartoonists from around the globe are reacting to the first papal resignation in 600 years.
Music Heard on Air for February 18, 2013
Tunes spun on The World between our reports for February 18, 2013. Artists featured are: 2raumwohnung, Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra, Baaba Maal, Stephane Wrembel, Jamshied Sharifi, Nogabe Randriaharimalala, Kila.
The Power of Political Cartoons in Iran
Anchor Carol Hills speaks with Iranian journalist and blogger Omid Memarian, the editor of “Sketches of Iran,” about the power of political cartoons in Iran and why so many Iranian cartoonists have been forced into exile.
The Furor Over Cartoonist Gerald Scarfe’s Depiction of Netanyahu Continues
British newspaper pulls a controversial cartoon of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid charges of antisemitism. But the debates rages among and between politicians, cartoonists, Israelis and Jews and non-Jews over what constitutes antisemitism and the sometimes prickly issue of freedom of speech.
Cartoon Slideshow: Lance Fesses Up (Sort of)
Lance Armstrong’s stupendous fall from grace is the topic of this cartoon slideshow. See Lance with his head in his hands — literally. See Lance take one last injection of drugs: truth serum. And see a little boy being treated for cancer through the Livestrong Foundation wonder if he now has to apologise for taking drugs.
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