CENSORSHIP
Censoring Opus [Greg Pollowitz]
Editor & Publisher:
NEW YORK At least 25 of the 200 or so "Opus" client newspapers might not run the Sunday-only comic's next two episodes, which feature Islamic references and a sex joke.
That's according to Washington Post Writers Group Executive Sales Manager Karisue Wyson, when contacted today by E&P. WPWG Editorial Director/General Manager Alan Shearer added that more than 25 clients might not use the strips because the syndicate hasn't heard from about 150 of the 200 papers it alerted.
"Whenever something lands close to the edge, we give editors enough notice" in case they want to run substitute comics, said Shearer.
Berkeley Breathed's Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 strips — which comprise sort of a two-part series — show the Lola Granola character wanting to become an Islamic radicalist (and wear traditional Muslim clothing) because it's a "hot new fad on the planet." Content also includes what Shearer described as "a sex joke a little stronger than we normally see."
UPDATES: Message from writer Berkeley Breathed here.
Today's comic here.
08/26 09:13 AM
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