Media Watch: When political cartoons overstep the mark

The National

3 days ago

Welcome to this week's Media Watch!
On the back of an almighty row between former Labour MP Zarah Sultana and The Observer that broke out on Monday, we delve into the archives this week to look at the tricky subject of political cartoons and when artists take them just that bit too far.
Observer slated for 'racist' cartoon
On page 33 of Sunday's edition of The Observer, a cartoon by Saffron Swire was published mocking a new party set to be created by Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn.
The busy and colourful cartoon depicted an 'invitation' to Jeremy Corbyn's 'party'. The ex-Labour leader was dressed in a Saturday Night Fever style red outfit branded with the Communist Party logo. Whatever your political ties, you can clearly see the fun and satire in this.
Brownfacing a box of raisins and mocking my surname.
Exactly what you'd expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP. https://t.co/Zvyt4NlS7M pic.twitter.com/Krhvk8sLCy — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 20, 2025
But another part of the image caused issues for The Observer. In the corner there was an image of a "goodie bag" containing a box of raisins saying "Zarah Sultanas" on it, with the image of a "brownfaced" version of the famous Sun-Maid woman.
Sultana was furious and this fury did not dissipate when The Observer issued a one-line apology saying it would remove the cartoon from its site.
This is mealy-mouthed and refuses to call it what it is: racism.
It doesn't even have the decency to name me, let alone offer a direct apology.
Supine journalism from The Observer, but sadly that's what we've come to expect from the mainstream media. https://t.co/QGeOqxf3jY — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 21, 2025
She accused the paper of racism, as did many others which ultimately forced bosses into taking down the cartoon.
Sultana said: 'This is mealy-mouthed and refuses to call it what it is: racism.
"It doesn't even have the decency to name me, let alone offer a direct apology.
'Supine journalism from The Observer, but sadly that's what we've come to expect from the mainstream media."
Cartoons are meant to be satirical, they are meant to challenge ideas and make people laugh, but this is a classic example of how they can sometimes overstep the line, and it's not the first time it's happened.
SNP first ministers 'hanged'
A cartoon for The Times by Peter Brookes proved unpopular last year as it depicted Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf with their heads in nooses shaped like the SNP logo.
John Swinney, who at the time was expected to be confirmed as the SNP's new leader, was shown putting his head into a fourth noose and saying: 'I'm the continuity candidate.'
Brookes shared the image and saw his cartoon labelled 'distasteful' and 'sick'.
Andrew Neil also sparked uproar when he shared the cartoon on social media calling it 'brilliant'.
Again, what could have been quite an amusing cartoon about the SNP's leadership struggles at the time just took things way too far.
SNP figures on crosses
Sadly this was a pretty familiar pattern from Brookes. The year before, the cartoonist released a drawing of Yousaf, Sturgeon and ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell tied to Saltire crosses.
It has the caption: 'Always look on the bright side of life'.
The cartoon was described as 'unhinged'.
Then SNP president Michael Russell said at the time: 'It illustrates the contempt that The Times at ownership and management level has for the SNP.'
Decapitated Sturgeon
And as if hanging and sacrificing her on a cross was not enough, political cartoonist Dave Brown was also slated in 2023 for another 'grotesque' image.
Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scottish FM & out come the cliches & stereotypes of Scotland. We get tartanry, bagpipes, hills & glens. Along with the portrayal of violence towards women in public life. Below from Dave Brown & Patrick Blower. pic.twitter.com/QKv0wDBtgC — Gerry Hassan (@GerryHassan) February 15, 2023
The cartoonist depicted the then-first minster playing the bagpipes in a kilt with her severed head on the ground next to her.
It followed Sturgeon's announcement she would step down as First Minister. The image was published in The Independent, which referred to Sturgeon as the "Margaret Thatcher of Scotland".