The Bounce in Denounce

Pity the plight of Mohammed al-Asaadi, editor-in-chief of the Yemen Observer. A devout Muslim, al-Asaadi reacted in anger to the political cartoons of the Prophet as published in the Jyllands-Posten of Denmark. He re-published them with large, bold "X"s through the depictions of the Prophet's visage, asking his readers to express their religious indignation at such an affront.

As a consequence, he now peers through iron bars, his paper closed, his life at hazard, accused of the very crime that he condemned. The Committee to Protect Journalists, of all unlikely groups, is publicizing his situation and asking that the Freedom of Press be respected for this unjustly imprisoned individual.

5/23/2006 6:35 PM