Desk Report,
Are cartoons journalism?
While working as a cartoonist in a newspaper, I have faced various experiences at different times. Once, at an event, a friend of mine was introducing me as a ‘journalist’. Someone from the side said, ‘Hey, I know him, he is not a journalist, he is a cartoonist.’
Are cartoons journalism?
I feel proud of both identities. I am a cartoonist because I have a deep love for cartoons. And journalism, needless to say, is a respectable identity in our society.
But are cartoons and journalism two different professions? Can a cartoonist be called a journalist? This question remains even among the highly educated people of our society.
From experience, I can say with certainty that most people in our country believe that cartoons are not journalism. Interestingly, this idea is not only shared by the general public, but also by many in our newspapers. However, cartoons are a very powerful form of journalism. However, not all cartoons are journalism. There are many branches of cartoons. For example, there are comic strips, graphic novels, caricatures, gag cartoons, and various types of cartoons.
Are these cartoons part of journalism? Not at all. So which branch of cartoons is recognized as a strong form of journalism in modern newspapers?
The American Press Institute says that the four main goals of journalism are—
One. Providing information to the public.
Two. Ensuring accountability of power.
Three. Creating democratic debate.
Four. Working in the public interest.
These four main goals of journalism are found in political or editorial cartoons. That is why these two branches of cartoons are recognized as an important and powerful medium of journalism. A political or editorial cartoon contains contemporary issues, analyzes social or political events, and criticizes various mistakes of the government through satire. As a result, cartoons create democratic debate, which is part of journalism.
John Hart is right about cartoonists. In his book ‘Political Cartoons and the Press’, he says that a cartoonist plays the role of reporter, analyst, and critic at the same time. He draws and highlights reality.
Cartoons are not just satirical drawings; rather, a cartoon contains fun, a message, and an analysis of an event.
A cartoon can highlight complex political issues in a way that many pages cannot express. Where freedom of speech is restricted, cartoons can become a powerful means of expressing truth. Because, cartoons can indirectly highlight any complex issue. However, just as not all cartoons are journalism, not all cartoons are political or editorial cartoons. A good quality drawing can be a good work of art, a good caricature, or a good illustration.
A good quality cartoon does not mean a good drawing at all; rather, it must have a message. The reader and viewer should be able to get that message at a glance.
Only a cartoon drawn in a small frame can present the entire picture of an event, context, or political situation. Here, drawing is just a means of expression. What is important is what message is being given in the cartoon.
Suppose you have written something. The handwriting is extraordinarily beautiful. It may be pleasing to the eye. But no one can understand what he wrote. That is, the meaning of the writing is unclear, it is not clear what he wanted to say.
