Professional satirists officially recognised by Apple
Facing criticism for rejecting (and later approving) a number of caricature-based iPhone apps, Apple has changed it’s terms and conditions to specifically exempt professional satirists. As reported by The Daily Cartoonist the two new clauses in their guidelines for new apps read:
14.1 Any app that is defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited, or likely to place the targeted individual or group in harms way will be rejected
14.2 Professional political satirists and humorists are exempt from the ban on offensive or mean-spirited commentary
As pointed out by the Daily Cartoonist and MAD Magazine caricaturist Tom Richmond (who previously had an app rejected and later approved) this still leaves open the question: how does Apple define a professional satirist?
2 comments
Phew. Good news. The world of Apple is open to us curmudgeons. However, seeing my trade reduced so starkly in black and white to “offensive or mean-spirited commentary” does induce a reflective moment of self-doubt and stay the nib.
But only for a few seconds.
The “in harm’s way” bit’s interesting. That a caricature- based app could do this to a targeted individual or group stretches credibility. The BNP isn’t about to develop group nervous collapse because somebody draws unkind pics of Mr Griffin. [what's that ? Someone already HAS ? Disgraceful !] Recalling recent events in Denmark, its more likely that it would the app artists who would be putting themselves in harm’s way.
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