Freedom of Expression Ethics and Law Angela Merkel

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Freedom of Expression: Ethics and Law Angela Merkel breast-feeding the Kazcynski brothers – a

Freedom of Expression: Ethics and Law Angela Merkel breast-feeding the Kazcynski brothers – a study case 9 th of November 2007

p Presentation of the case p Statement of the chief editor p Reactions in

p Presentation of the case p Statement of the chief editor p Reactions in Germany p Ethical discussion: n Fo. X vs. Human Right of Dignity n Caricature vs. Defamation/Provocation n Drawing vs. Photographic Montage p Discussion

The background of the picture p p EU summit in Brussels Wprost: “Germany's post-colonial

The background of the picture p p EU summit in Brussels Wprost: “Germany's post-colonial reflexes" "the Germans still aren't able to treat Poles like partners. “ >> What was the magazine trying to say?

The editor's defensive argument p The photo isn't only critical of Merkel p Kaczynskis

The editor's defensive argument p The photo isn't only critical of Merkel p Kaczynskis as children p relationship threatened by nationalistic points of view, clearly not working

Reactions in Germany p German Media ”predictably shrill”? p German Population used to it?

Reactions in Germany p German Media ”predictably shrill”? p German Population used to it? p German Government downplaying?

Ethical discussion Ø Fo. X vs. Human Right of Dignity Ø Caricature vs. Defamation/Provocation

Ethical discussion Ø Fo. X vs. Human Right of Dignity Ø Caricature vs. Defamation/Provocation Ø Drawing vs. Photographic Montage

Fo. X vs. Human Dignity p Independence of the press p Individually p Protection

Fo. X vs. Human Dignity p Independence of the press p Individually p Protection of journalist's sources p Relgious, ethnic and social minorities „Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected. “ (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa)

Is this picture a caricature? Definition of „caricature“ p satirical, critical p commenting on

Is this picture a caricature? Definition of „caricature“ p satirical, critical p commenting on a recent topic of general interest p „grain of truth“ p journalistically analysed and presented

An absurd discussion? p the step mother is a very sexy and positive cliché

An absurd discussion? p the step mother is a very sexy and positive cliché character in Poland p trouble to find an adequate body-model - a 23 year old, that’s not too thin >> Are we still talking politics here?

An ambivalent situation p WWII and the nazi’s reference are touchy subjects p Poland’s

An ambivalent situation p WWII and the nazi’s reference are touchy subjects p Poland’s fear of a german-russian alliance p ”You can laugh at everything but not with everybody”? – Wprost often comments harshly

Discussion I p To what extent is this picture the expression of a free

Discussion I p To what extent is this picture the expression of a free press or an offense of the human right of dignity? (also take into account that Merkel is considered a person in public – different priciples apply) p Is the picture a caricature or rather a mere provocation?

Discussion II p Do we have to adapt to a new way of ”seeing”?

Discussion II p Do we have to adapt to a new way of ”seeing”? Why would the picture been much less of a scandal as a drawing? p What role do the Media play in this?