E&P: Wiley Miller Vs. Editorial Cartoonists

Editor & Publisher details a scuffle between the cartoonist Wiley Miller and various editorial cartoonists over a cartoon in which Miller needles ineffectual cartoonist organizations and, more importantly, the issue of declining staff positions being bemoaned by cartoonists who syndicate their work, which many believe makes editorial cartoonist positions expendable.

I think what's interesting is that the responses to Miller, at least as detailed by E&P, seem pretty soft. That may be because no one wants to really start a fight, but it could also be because the argument in response to the accusations isn't all that strong. If editorial cartoonists are going to argue for staff positions from the local cartoons standpoint -- only a local artist can do local cartoons on issues that those syndicating can't cover -- there's some work to do. For one, a lot of editors are terrified of localized editorializing, because in many cases those are potential advertisers in a way the U.S. Senate, say, isn't. For another, freelancers can provide and have provided local cartoons by seeking that market, which seems to weaken the tie between having local cartoons and investing in a staff member.
 
posted 2:10 am PST | Permalink
 

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