Why are Editorial Cartoons Important?

TedTalk by Patrick Chappatte, October 21, 2010.

From Ted, "In a series of witty punchlines, Swiss editiorial cartoonist Patrick Chappatte makes a poignant case for the power of the humble cartoon. His projects in Lebanon, West Africa and Gaza show how, in the right hands, the pencil can illuminate serious issues and bring the most unlikely people together."

Chappatte argues in his talk that political cartoons advance healthy discourse to combat violence and oppression.

At the time, Chappatte was the Editorial Cartoonist for the International New York Times.

TedTalk by Chappatte on September 18, 2019.

From Ted, 'We need humor like we need the air we breathe, says editorial cartoonist Patrick Chappatte. In a talk illustrated with highlights from a career spent skewering everything from dictators and ideologues to selfies and social media mobs, Chappatte makes a resounding, often hilarious case for the necessity of satire. "Political cartoons were born with democracy, and they are challenged when freedom is," he says.'

Chappatte's talk comes after the New York Times removed all editorial cartoons from their publications. Chappatte, who effectively lost his job because of this decision, argues that the world needs satire, inherently echoing the need for editorial cartoons. Chappatte argues satire and political cartoons are necessary for a democratic world.