Reactions To President Jacob Zuma Lawsuit Against Zapiro Rape Cartoon

It's hard from a vantage point completely removed from South African media to make any sweeping Ozymandias-style claims regarding the rush of articles about President Jacob Zuma suing over the 2008 Zapiro rape cartoon. One imagines there's a tidal wave of context to process, some of which isn't immediately apparent from the articles themselves. That doesn't mean that reading the articles on an individual basis lacks value, and I urge anyone interested in the issue to scan as many article as possible.

A few that I've read this morning: The South African Editors Forum has urged the president to withdraw his lawsuit, and its spokesperson points out that for something that apparently humiliated the political leader two years is a long time to wait before filing suit. Jennifer Thorpe at Mail & Guardian notes this suit will cost taxpayer money and that it largely proves Zapiro's point. An editorial in Business Day and a piece in NewsTime suggest there are positive aspects to the lawsuit considering the tribunal-style reforms that may be put into place. The Daily Maverick also suggests that this lawsuit may have an effect on media legislation, and that this is what Zuma intended. Another piece in Business Day has Zuma's response to being asked about the timing: no comment. A bunch of articles discuss the fact that this is Zuma's 11th such lawsuit. Here's the best piece I've read so far encapsulating the cartoonist's reaction.
 
posted 9:00 am PST | Permalink
 

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