phill4paul
05-03-2016, 10:45 AM
A northern Iowa freelance cartoonist says he was fired for drawing an editorial cartoon that bemoaned Iowa farmers' dwindling profits while CEOs at large agricultural corporations earn millions of dollars.
Rick Friday of Lorimor said on his Facebook page that Farm News, a weekly publication of The Fort Dodge Messenger, dropped him as the publication's editorial cartoonist after a company affiliated with one of three large corporations he portrayed in his cartoon complained, pulling its advertising.
In last week's "It's Friday" cartoon, Friday said the CEOs of Deere & Co., Monsanto Co. and DuPont Pioneer made more money than 2,129 Iowa farmers last year.
A large affiliated company "was insulted and canceled their advertisement with the paper, thus, resulting in the reprimand of my editor and cancellation of 'It's Friday' cartoons," wrote Friday, who worked 21 years for Farm News, publishing 1,090 cartoons.
The CEOs at the ag giants earned about $52.9 million last year, based on Morningstar data. Monsanto and DuPont, the parent of Johnston-based Pioneer, are large seed and chemical companies, and Deere is a large farm equipment manufacturer.
Profits for the three companies, all with large operations across Iowa, also have declined as farm income has been squeezed. After peaking in 2013, U.S. farm income this year is projected to fall to $183 billion, its lowest level since 2002.
Publisher Larry Bushman said he couldn't say Monday why Farm News would no longer run Friday's cartoons, adding that it was an editorial decision.
Farm News Editor Larry Kershner said he couldn't comment about the decision.
Friday said his cartoon was based on facts. "Hopefully, my children and my grandchildren will see that this last cartoon published … will shine a light on how fragile our rights to free speech and free press really are in the country," said Friday, who also raises cattle.
DuPont and Monsanto officials said the companies were unaware of the cartoon until the media brought it to their attention. A Deere spokesman wasn't immediately available Monday to comment.
Monsanto's Christi Dixon said the St. Louis-based company has no interest in shutting down farm discussions.
"We respect various viewpoints and want to be open to dialogue. We're interested in finding common ground," said Dixon, adding the company recently hosted a vocal critic of the company's genetically modified seeds at its headquarters.
Farm News is delivered to 24,000 homes in 33 counties in northwest Iowa. The Fort Dodge Messenger is owned by Ogden Newspapers, based in West Virginia.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/2016/05/02/cartoonist-says-his-work-got-him-axed/83841760/
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13072660_10208214317168718_3469161983127203380_o.j pg
Rick Friday of Lorimor said on his Facebook page that Farm News, a weekly publication of The Fort Dodge Messenger, dropped him as the publication's editorial cartoonist after a company affiliated with one of three large corporations he portrayed in his cartoon complained, pulling its advertising.
In last week's "It's Friday" cartoon, Friday said the CEOs of Deere & Co., Monsanto Co. and DuPont Pioneer made more money than 2,129 Iowa farmers last year.
A large affiliated company "was insulted and canceled their advertisement with the paper, thus, resulting in the reprimand of my editor and cancellation of 'It's Friday' cartoons," wrote Friday, who worked 21 years for Farm News, publishing 1,090 cartoons.
The CEOs at the ag giants earned about $52.9 million last year, based on Morningstar data. Monsanto and DuPont, the parent of Johnston-based Pioneer, are large seed and chemical companies, and Deere is a large farm equipment manufacturer.
Profits for the three companies, all with large operations across Iowa, also have declined as farm income has been squeezed. After peaking in 2013, U.S. farm income this year is projected to fall to $183 billion, its lowest level since 2002.
Publisher Larry Bushman said he couldn't say Monday why Farm News would no longer run Friday's cartoons, adding that it was an editorial decision.
Farm News Editor Larry Kershner said he couldn't comment about the decision.
Friday said his cartoon was based on facts. "Hopefully, my children and my grandchildren will see that this last cartoon published … will shine a light on how fragile our rights to free speech and free press really are in the country," said Friday, who also raises cattle.
DuPont and Monsanto officials said the companies were unaware of the cartoon until the media brought it to their attention. A Deere spokesman wasn't immediately available Monday to comment.
Monsanto's Christi Dixon said the St. Louis-based company has no interest in shutting down farm discussions.
"We respect various viewpoints and want to be open to dialogue. We're interested in finding common ground," said Dixon, adding the company recently hosted a vocal critic of the company's genetically modified seeds at its headquarters.
Farm News is delivered to 24,000 homes in 33 counties in northwest Iowa. The Fort Dodge Messenger is owned by Ogden Newspapers, based in West Virginia.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/2016/05/02/cartoonist-says-his-work-got-him-axed/83841760/
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13072660_10208214317168718_3469161983127203380_o.j pg