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VOA Spanish Service Reveals Exclusive Story of Cartoonist's 'Valentía
e Integridad'
By Caitlin Daw
VOA's Spanish
Service recently reported the exclusive story of Mexican editorial
cartoonist Mario Robles Patiño, winner of the 2009 Award in Courage for
Editorial Cartoons. The award honors cartoonists who have encountered
political oppression from their governments yet have continued their
work. It was awarded July 3 in Seattle, Washington.
"[The Award in
Courage] is given to cartoonists who have shown real tenacity. [They]
have not given in to political, social, or even terrorist pressure,"
said Robert 'Bro' Russell, Director of the Cartoonists Rights Network
International. "Cartoonists can be considered canaries in a coal mine.
They are the first to be pressured by the governments when they make fun
of the facts. Tyrants can tolerate rebellion but cannot tolerate being
made fun of."
Robles Patiño,
from Oaxaca, Mexico, won for his cartoon criticizing the governor of
Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, for his harsh and bloody suppression of
demonstrators in 2005. The demonstrators, members of an opposition group
and teachers protesting for salary increases, suffered nearly twenty
fatalities when government forces cracked down. Robles Patiño’s cartoon
compared the governor's suppression of the demonstration to the
well-remembered, violent quashing of a political revolt on October 2,
1948.
As a result of his critical pictorial commentary, he encountered
harsh retribution from the government. According to Robles Patiño,
members of the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) physically
attacked him in April of this year. However, despite oppression and
threats, he continues his craft.
Robles Patiño spoke with VOA’s Rosalba
Ruiz, telling her of his experiences, his work, and his inspiration.
"I feel very
proud," says the cartoonist, who considers himself "born to draw." "It
is satisfying but also motivating to continue doing my work well." His
career as a cartoonist has spanned nearly 30 years, having drawn for
publications such as Informador de Oaxaca and Noticias, Voz e Imagen de
Oaxaca. He cannot imagine leaving journalism.
"We are the ones
responsible for educating, guiding the readers, television viewers, and
radio listeners," he says regarding journalists.
VOA broadcasts 1.5
hours on television and 3.5 hours via radio daily in Spanish. The latest
updates are available online at
www.VOANews.com/spanish/news/, where you can also find Rosabla
Ruiz’s complete report about Mario Robles Patiño.
Cartoonists Rights
Network International provides a variety of services to cartoonists and
their families, including writing letters to heads of state, obtaining
exile status for cartoonists, and providing speakers for college and
university events. Learn more about them at their website,
www.cartoonistrights.com/.
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