Journalists' Institute on acceptance and correct use of cartoons

Caricatures should not be censored but neither should they serve as a tool to destroy anybody's reputation, the Institute of Journalists yesterday said.

The IGM was referring to a cartoon by Maurice Tanti Burlò in The Times on Wednesday which the Labour Party said compared party leader Alfred Sant and his administration to a cesspit and its contents.

The IGM said freedom of expression was a fundamental right, while appealing for more moderation and responsibility by the press and more tolerance from politicians.

Still, if the MLP felt the caricature was offensive or in bad taste towards its officials, it could always resort to legal action or the Press Ethics Commission, the institute added.