Issues regarding my dismissal from the NZ Herald

It has become apparent over recent days and weeks, that many critics of my work seem to misunderstand the role and responsibility of the political cartoonist.

By definition political cartoonists are critics of the world that surrounds them. The job requires that they bring to public attention, issues which, from their perspective, appear to require scrutiny.

On a daily basis political cartoonists try and reflect contentious issues and regularly their views may offend those sections of society that see things differently. That is their purpose and political cartoonists make no apology for it.

The political cartoonist's work is intended to promote debate and to encourage the public to consider political developments that some may wish to keep hidden, or wish to keep being perceived from just one perspective, or worse, wish kept secret.

Political cartoonists make no claim to any special insight and indeed can often be fairly accused of viewing matters from a position divorced from the real world. Few would apologise for that either, believing as I do, that idealism is the brother of pragmatism.

While my purpose is to defend a principle that I believe effects all cartoonists and media people generally, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the many hundreds who have emailed, posted and phoned their personal support for me and my family.

And similarly I would like to express my thanks to all those who braved a cold and wet kiwi winter's morning to gather in Auckland's streets, in defence of the principle at the heart of this matter.

And if as I claim, the cartoon is intended as a cataylst to debate, I must also acknowledge the absolute right of those who disagree with me or with my cartoons to write expressing their views.

This page will continue to be updated as the situation develops, however as a recent interview released by New Zealand's MEDIAWATCH programme outlines many of the points I would wish to make, it is attached for the reader's consideration.

Malcolm Evans. 2 September 2003

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