MEDIA REACTION - PRESS FREEDOM

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000274

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC PHUM KMDR KPAO CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - PRESS FREEDOM


1. On February 7, center-left "Diario Siete" (circ. 23,000)
carried an editorial entitled "Muslims and Caricatures." Quote:

"The violence unleashed by the caricatures of Mohamed... reflect
much more than a confrontation between freedom (of expression) in
the West and alleged Muslim barbarians.... It shows that not even
the smallest effort has been made to understand the degree of
dissatisfaction in that part of the world.... The visceral rage of
the Muslim population must make the West realize that it has never
taken that rich and complex culture into account."


2. On February 6, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ.
31,834) carried an editorial entitled "Renewed Muslim Activism."

"There is no doubt that this conflict shows an enormous and mutual
lack of understanding between the majority of those who identify
themselves with either of the two cultures, which must be resolved.
While the West upholds freedom of expression, even that which
ridicules, the followers of Mohamed view this as an attack on what
they consider most sacred. Perhaps the only truly balanced view in
this matter has been that of the Vatican, which has drawn a line
between legitimate criticism...and the clear intention to disrespect
symbols and values of a people or culture...an offense that would
probably not be tolerated if it affected other groups which are
politically incorrect to harass."

KELLY