The art of political satire is more important than ever

We owe it to the spirit of free speech, under threat in so much of the world, to allow our best creative artists to satirise the absurdities of life with their unflinching eye

The Independent’s editorial cartoon the day after the Charlie Hebdo attacks

The New York Times insists its decision to stop using political cartoons in its international edition, as of this week, has nothing to do with the row over a cartoon in April.

That image of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, as a guide dog leading a blind Donald Trump, wearing a skull cap, was rightly condemned as antisemitic.

Let us put aside any possible connection between the decision and the controversy, however, and say how regrettable it is that cartoons should be absent from such an important global showcase.