After drawing controversy over a cartoon that was published last weekend on the editorial pages of the Bucks County Courier Times, a new statement was released by the newspaper on Thursday.
Credit: Bucks FOP
The letter, which was provided to LevittownNow.com by the newspaper’s director of community affairs, says the cartoon that shows a group of African-American children asking Santa to protect them from the police “no way was intended to indict the law enforcement community.”
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The statement from the publication comes a day after the Bucks County Fraternal Order of Police said the cartoon by syndicated cartoonist Chris Britt “promoted mistrust between citizens and police.” The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police also issued a statement condemning the Levittown-based newspaper and wishing them a “bankrupt New Year.”
Thursday’s statement follows a short “to our readers” post put on the Courier Times’ website Wednesday evening. That statement from Courier Times executive editor Patricia S. Meagher-Walker said the items on the editorial page “do not necessarily reflect the opinions of our editorial board, rather that of the author or artist.”
“If we had recognized prior to publication that the cartoon would have caused unintended offense, our editors would have selected a different one for Sunday’s newspaper. Editing a newspaper is not easy and we don’t always get it right,” Thursday’s statement from the Courier Times read.
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Social media posts from first responders and members of the public have stated they are unsubscribing to the newspaper which is owned by Calkins Media.
The story on the cartoon was picked up by the Philadelphia Daily News and PhillyMag.com.
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The Courier Times’ Facebook rating page has seen the addition of several negative ratings and comments ripping the publication for running the cartoon.
Several of Britt’s recent cartoons have tackled the relationship the public has with police and other hot-button issues.
Read the full statement from the Courier Times:
The editorial staff and management team of the Bucks County Courier Times respect the work of law enforcement and appreciate the risks they take and sacrifices they make each day.
The editorial cartoon that was published in our newspaper on Sunday, Dec. 7, was a commentary about the broad and complex relationship between black youth and police in America. It’s a relationship that has room for improvement, as has been acknowledged by members of both communities.
Though we don’t know what was in the heart and mind of the award-winning syndicated cartoonist who penned the cartoon, it was selected for publication for thoughtful reflection on that relationship. It in no way was intended to indict the law enforcement community.
If we had recognized prior to publication that the cartoon would have caused unintended offense, our editors would have selected a different one for Sunday’s newspaper. Editing a newspaper is not easy and we don’t always get it right.
Democracy isn’t easy either, but the protection of democracy puts journalists and law enforcement on the same side more often than not. That is particularly true at the Bucks County Courier Times. Our readers know our body of work and the respect and professionalism we show to law enforcement.
Our reporters and editors spend a great deal of time reporting on the work of area law enforcement and the protection of our communities. Both the Courier Times and Intelligencer newspapers have been fortunate to have police officers and police chiefs as community members of our editorial boards – selected, in part, to make sure the voice of law enforcement is something we hear. Those officers were willing to volunteer their time with our editorial boards because they know our publications respect the work that they do.
That mutual respect between local law enforcement and our staff is demonstrated time and time again when police ask us to share information with the public. Our journalists do work that helps police apprehend criminals and keep citizens away from dangerous situations.
Our respect for law enforcement also means we want to be part of the conversation about how to improve the relationship between police and the black community. We will continue to be involved in helping our readers understand the current national debate about the use of police force. We’ve published a variety of opinions on the issue and will continue to do so.
It’s our job.
The Courier Times welcomes all views because we know that conversation and debate is the fuel that will bring about positive change in our communities.
