Phyrfight Intel

Comedy Central’s Response:

“Dear Viewer,

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the “South Park” episodes

entitled “Cartoon Wars.” We appreciate your concerns about censorship

and the destructive influence of outside groups on the media,

entertainment industry and particularly Comedy Central.
To reiterate, as satirists, we believe that it is our First Amendment

right to poke fun at any and all people, groups, organizations and

religions and we will continue to defend that right. Our goal is to

make people laugh and perhaps, if we’re lucky, even make them think in

the process.
Comedy Central’s belief in the First Amendment has not wavered, despite

our decision not to air an image of Muhammad. Our decision was made not

to mute the voices of Trey and Matt or because we value one religion

over any other. This decision was based solely on concern for public

safety in light of recent world events.

With the power of freedom of speech and expression also comes the

obligation to use that power in a responsible way. Much as we wish it

weren’t the case, times have changed and, as witnessed by the intense

and deadly reaction to the publication of the Danish cartoons, decisions

cannot be made in a vacuum without considering what impact they may have

on innocent individuals around the globe.

It was with this in mind we decided not to air the image of Muhammad, a

decision similar to that made by virtually every single media outlet

across the country earlier this year when they each determined that it

was not prudent or in the interest of safety to reproduce the

controversial Danish cartoons. Injuries occurred and lives were lost in

the riots set off by the original publication of these cartoons. The

American media made a decision then, as we did now, not to put the

safety and well being of the public at risk, here or abroad.

As a viewer of “South Park,” you know that over the course of ten

seasons and almost 150 episodes the series has addressed all types of

sensitive, hot-button issues, religious and political, and has done so

with Comedy Central’s full support in every instance, including this

one. “Cartoon Wars” contained a very important message, one that Trey

and Matt felt strongly about, as did we at the network, which is why we

gave them carte blanche in every facet but one: we would not broadcast a

portrayal of Muhammad.
In that regard, did we censor the show? Yes, we did. But if you hold

Comedy Central’s 15-year track record up against any other network out

there, you’ll find that we afford our talent the most creative freedom

and provide a nurturing atmosphere that challenges them to be bold and

daring and places them in a position to constantly break barriers and

push the envelope. The result has been some of the most provocative

television ever produced.

We would like nothing more than to be able to look back at this in a few

years and think that perhaps we overreacted. Unfortunately, to have

made a different decision and to look back and see that we completely

underestimated the damage that resulted was a risk we were not willing

to take.

Our pledge to you, our loyal viewers, is that Comedy Central will

continue to produce and provide the best comedy available and we will

continue to push it right to the edge, using and defending the First

Amendment in the most responsible way we know how.

Sincerely,

Comedy Central Viewer Services”