Mandela Press Frenzy - Speculation at the Hospital Gates

MEDIA FRENZY: This cartoon is a softened version of the original one by JERM which his editors felt was insensitive to Nelson Mandela and his family as it depicted an empty grave site. More so than any other subject, cartoons about NELSON MANDELA have solicited strict editing by editors and cartoonists themselves, often erring on the side of caution, for fear that they might offend the Mandela family and the millions who love him. Many would argue that journalism as a whole would be benefited by more such sensitivity.

Ironically, one reason that we all love Mandela is that he stood out amongst most public figures (and politicians especially) by defending the right of cartoonists and other critics to express themselves - regardless as to whether he agreed with their point of view or not.