Semi-News: University of Illinois Student Editor Fired for Anti-Muslim Cartoons

azconservative ^ | 16 March 2006 | John Semmens

[John Semmens]

Acton H. Gorton and his opinions page editor, Chuck Prochaska, were fired from The Daily Illini at the University of Illinois for the Feb. 9 publication of the cartoons, which first appeared in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.

"The Illini Media Co. board of directors following a thorough review, a report by a student task force of senior members of the staff, and a threat from the Muslim Student Alliance to burn the school to the ground and disembowel the administrators if Gorton were not fired, found that Gorton violated Daily Illini policies about thoughtful discussion of and preparation for the publication of inflammatory material," said Moe Craven, chairman of the board.

“The board’s decision was pusillanimous,” said Craven. “There wasn’t a single vote to retain Gorton or Prochaska. The board is disappointed with this outcome and regrets that Gorton's actions necessitated his termination. But the board believes this conclusion is in the best interests of The Daily Illini newsroom and will allow the student journalists to carry on with the newspaper's tradition of politically sensitive reporting."

As a result of the editors' firings, the Muslim Student Alliance lifted its fatwa against the publication’s board of directors and staff.

[sageb1]

I like the Michael Jackson name change one: “Aaeesha Mohlestyr.”

Unfortunately, Americans don't want to listen and it probably would take a disemboweling to wake them up.

Thanks for sharing!