The Tempo Irony: Ethical or not?

I’m not a politically interested individual, nor am I that much interested in magazine covers but this issue striked me. It made me question whether such an issue was really religiously unethical or acceptable.

Back in Febuary 2008, an Indonesian magazine called ‘Tempo” published on its front cover an illustration depicting former president Suharto and his children in a composition that parodied the ‘Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci (AFP, 2008).

To be more exact, the cover of the February 4-10 edition of Tempo featured an illustration of Suharto, who died a month earlier, taking the role of Jesus Christ in the centre of the table while being surrounded by his three daughters and sons, instead of the apostles (AFP, 2008).

This triggered complaints and criticism from many Christians which lead about a dozen representatives from various Christian and religious groups to visit Tempo’s office to ensure their complaints were heard. They asked the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs to look into Blasphemy charges under the Indonesian Criminal Code against the magazine.This soon followed with Tempo’s chief editor Toriq Hadad giving his full apology on behalf of the company to Christians and those offended by the sketch (Lacey, 2008).

Tempo's front cover
Source: Indonesia matters

The orginal painting by Leonardo Da Vinci
Source: Indonesia matters

Lately, there has been some dispute about whether Tempo needed to apologise or even face blasphemy charges for its actions. Indonesian journalist Pak Nurrohman questioned how blasphemy was considered a crime when the Indonesian constitution offered religious freedom and freedom of expression (Lacey, 2008). Other journalists also stood up and argued that Tempo should not have apologized.

However, Christians and other religious groups felt otherwise. They felt Tempo was suggesting that Suharto was in some ways a similar version of Jesus Christ and this offended them. So, should Tempo have apologised? According to Staff editorial (2006), religious sensitivity should be considered when publishing. The writer adds that people need to understand the various cultures that thrive in order that religious injustice can be avoided. Many argue that such articles are published to exercise freedom of speech. However, the writer states that there is a fine line between free speech and trying to start racial conflicts (Staff editorial, 2006).

Kress & van Leeuwen (1996) suggest that, each culture has its own sets of meanings (pp.109). Holiday & Hasan (1985) agree saying that, in any culture, there will be many modes of meanings (pp.4). Hence, writers and editors should be aware that different cultures may have their own set of meanings and be respectful of them. They should opt not to publish materials that could offend a certain religion, race or culture. Thus, writers, editors and publishers have a big responsibility to carry out.

References:

AFP, 2008. ‘Indonesian weekly apologises over Last Supper Suharto cover’. ABC News, viewed 1 November 2008, <http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/06/2156269.htm>

Halliday, M. A. K. & Hasan, R., 1985. Language, context and text: aspects of language in a social-semiotic perspective, Deakin University, Victoria.

Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T., 1996.Visual and verbal literacies. Reading Images: the grammar of visual design. Geelong, Vic.: Deakin University.

Lacey, T., 2008. ‘WHAT IT MEANS…OIC debate on Islamaphobia Dakar 13-14 march’. Yemen Times, viewed 1 November 2008, <http://www.yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=1140&p=local&a=6>

Staff editorial, 2006. ‘Religious sensitivity should be considered when publishing’. View Points Online, viewed 1 November 2008, <http://media.www.viewpointsonline.org/media/storage/paper753/news/2006/03/09/Opinions/
Religious.Sensitivity.Should.Be.Considered.When.Publishing-1663023.shtml>