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02/06/2006

Religious Press Release Distributor Publishes Controversial Muhammad Cartoon
"Count us among those who act on our belief in freedom of the press." -- Gary McCullough, director

Christian Newswire WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- In response to the shrinking number of news outlets willing to display the controversial cartoon of Muhammad the Christian Newswire wishes to be counted among those on the side of free speech and in defense of the principles behind America's First Amendment.

Our response is the following statement from Gary McCullough, Director of the Christian Newswire:

"America's 'free press' and the world's news media as a whole are facing the same decision many nations have recently faced in dealing with terrorists. Do we acquiesce to unjust demands under the threat of violence, even though history demonstrates that by giving in we only encourage acts of violence toward us in the future?

"If the world's press gives in demands, backed by threats of violence, not to print a political cartoon today--what freedom will we give up tomorrow to keep the peace? It is imbecilic to believe that such a success in the use of violence and threats of violence does not encourage such behavior.

"To newspaper publishers world wide, and the broadcasters who claim any freedom to display newsworthy items; it is not to late to send a clear message. I ask you to publish the controversial cartoon of Muhammed to send the message; 'We will not be censored by treats of violence.'

The alternative will not be peace. The alterative will be increased violence to censor the media. And those demands will not just come from those who revere Muhammad. You must decide if you will negotiate away a foundational principle of your part of the culture to save yourself from violence. If you run from this battle now--you have emboldened those who would use terror to restrict what you publish.

"I for one am not willing to go one inch down the road that ends with the media publishing only that which Muhammad would approve."