A Dean of Journalism Says Limits on Free Speech

For John, BLUF:  Some Journalism Dean wants a suicide pact.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Over at Hot Air we have (Mr?) Allahpundit talking about the First Amendment, but more, Free Speech.  "Journalism school dean:  The First Amendment ends at insulting Mohammed".

Really?

Apparently for DeWayne Wickham, dean of Morgan State University's School of Global Journalism and Communication.  Dean Wickham, a regular USA Today Columnist, sums up:

If Charlie Hebdo's irreverent portrayal of Mohammed before the Jan. 7 attack wasn't thought to constitute fighting words, or a clear and present danger, there should be no doubt now that the newspaper's continued mocking of the Islamic prophet incites violence.  And it pushes Charlie Hebdo's free speech claim beyond the limits of the endurable.

So, if I am following Dean Wickham correctly, if I find that someone is insulting me my best resort is to enlist my friends and go out and wreck mayhem on this person and the institution for which he or she works.  Otherwise they will continue to do it and it will hurt my feelings.  So mayhem is OK, apparently.

What ever happened to the idea that in our culture we tolerate?  If cartoons of Mr Mohammed are verboten, are cartoons depicted Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in a defaming matter sufficient to cause criminal charges, or failing that, I would assume, mayhem on the part of the offended?  What ever happened to the idea that it was tolerable for the American Nazi Party to walk through Skokie, Illinois?

Allahpundit debunks some of Dean Wickham's assertions about the First Amendment.

I just want to know Dean Wickham's home address, so the next time we get something like the Piss Christ I can go march in front of the Dean's home, probably with a sign saying "Charlie Hebdo was Right".

And I am gravely offended by Photographer Andres Serrano's work.

And, once the self-censorship starts we can't control where it will end.  It is likely the Press, the Internet aside, will cease its job as the Fourth Estate, policing Government.  Transparency will not just be reduced, it will end.  These things never end well.

You will know we are in trouble when Political Commentator Mark Steyn elects to move back to Canada.

Hat tip to the Instapundit.

Regards  —  Cliff