Freedom of Expression: Ethics

and Law

Angela Merkel breast-feeding the Kazcynski brothers –

a study case

9th of November 2007

Presentation of the case

Statement of the chief editor

Reactions in Germany

Ethical discussion: FoX vs. Human Right of Dignity Caricature vs. Defamation/Provocation Drawing vs. Photographic Montage

Discussion

The background of the picture

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

The photo isn't only critical of Merkel

Kaczynskis as children

relationship threatened by nationalistic points of view, clearly not working

Reactions in Germany

German Media”predictably shrill”?

German Populationused to it?

German Governmentdownplaying?

Ethical discussion

FoX vs. Human Right of Dignity

Caricature vs. Defamation/Provocation

Drawing vs. Photographic Montage

FoX vs. Human Dignity

Independence of the press

Protection of journalist's sources

Individually

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“

satirical, critical

commenting on a recent topic of general interest

„grain of truth“

journalistically analysed and presented

An absurd discussion?

the step mother is a very sexy and positive cliché character in Poland

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

WWII and the nazi’s reference are touchy subjects

Poland’s fear of a german-russian alliance

”You can laugh at everything but not with everybody”? – Wprost often comments harshly

Discussion I

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)

Is the picture a caricature or rather a mere provocation?

Discussion II

Do we have to adapt to a new way of ”seeing”? Why would the picture been much less of a scandal as a drawing?

What role do the Media play in this?