Unapproved Imagemakers: Political Cartoonists' Topic Selection, Objectives and Perceived Restrictions

Abstract

Editorial cartoonists and editorial page editors at 169 major US. dailies have differing views on the objectives of editorial cartoons and the appropriateness of editorial independence for cartoonists. Differences – including demographics, the self-ascribed political orientations of cartoonists and editors, and the orientations they perceive in their colleagues and audiences – are examined as explanations for varying views of the purpose of editorial cartoons and the role of those who produce them.