To mark World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2007, the Arab press published numerous cartoons dealing with the state of freedom of expression in the Arab media.
The cartoons protested the lack of freedom of the press, the pressures and restrictions on journalists, the press censorship and the arrest and detention of journalists.
The following are some examples of the cartoons that appeared in the Arab press for World press Freedom Day:
On the Lack of Freedom of Expression
Cartoon No. 1: "World Press Freedom Day"
Al-Sharq (Qatar), May 5, 2007; Al-Madina (Saudi Arabia), May 7, 2007
Cartoon No. 2:
Al-Dustour (Jordan), May 3, 2007.
Cartoon No. 3:
Syria News (Syria), May 3, 2007.
On the Pressures and Restrictions on Journalists
Cartoon No. 4:
Syria News (Syria), May 5, 2007.
Cartoon No. 5: "World Press Freedom Day"
Al-Sharouq (Algeria), May 3, 2007.
Cartoon No. 6: On the pen: "Press"
Al-Ayyam (Bahrain), May 3, 2007
Cartoon No. 7:
Al-Waqt (Bahrain), May 8, 2007
On Press Censorship
Cartoon No. 8: "World Press [Freedom] Day - No to Censorship"
Al-Arab Al-Yawm (Jordan), May 3, 2007
Cartoon No. 9: On cloud: "Thought." On strainer: "Censorship."
Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), May 6, 2007
On Arrest and Detention of Journalists
Cartoon No. 10
Oman (Oman), May 2, 2007.
Cartoon No. 11: "May 3 - World Press Freedom Day"
Al-Quds (Jerusalem), May 3, 2007.
Cartoon No. 12: "World Press [Freedom] Day"
Above the three men on left: "Journalists." Clerk: "Regarding the 'temporary detainment of journalists' - we have decided to abolish the 'temporary' and to make do strictly with 'detainment.'"
Al-Ittihad (U.A.E.), May 6, 2007.
