J.J. Goldberg April 28, 2010

Pollster John Zogby of Zogby International reports on a new survey showing that 70% of Americans disagree with the Comedy Central Network decision to censor out references to Muhammad on “South Park.”

Unlike many other issues, opposition to Comedy Central’s decision is a bipartisan one. Clear majorities of those affiliated with both parties as well as unaffiliated adults disagree with the decision.

If you haven’t been following this case, Movieline.com has an excellent recap of the South Park-Muhammad dust-up. The quick version is that the cartoon show lampooned the objections to showing images of Muhammad in a recent episode by scripting the prophet in as part of a team of superheroes, but depicting him speaking from inside a U-Haul and standing in a bear costume so nobody gets in trouble. The show’s producers got a death threat anyway (or as the RevolutionMuslim Web site called it, a “warning”).

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Movieline followed up today with a round-up of actions around the country in solidarity with the producers.

John Zogby, by the way, is the brother of James Zogby, probably the best-known Arab-American lobbyist in Washington, president of the Arab American Institute and a longtime friend of the Israeli and Palestinian peace movements. (Yes, Virginia, there is a Palestinian peace movement.) Doing this poll is just another small example of the way the Zogby brothers challenge bigotry whenever they can, even when it’s their own folks in the dock.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount