People against Hate Speech

We believe that the Mail and Guardian was wrong to publish Zapiro’s cartoon criticising President Zuma on 6 July and call on the editor to issue an unqualified apology to the people of South Africa for having published it.

Our reasons are as follows:

1. The cartoon is insulting.  Freedom of speech stops where insult starts. 


2. Many South Africans have interpreted the cartoon as hate speech.


3. It has inflamed racial tensions and deepened the racial divide.


4. It undermines the argument for press freedom in South Africa.