After a tremendous amount of public backlash, Apple has backed down from their rejection of Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Mark Fiore’s app. His NewsToons app had previously been denied because it “ridicules public figures,” an anti-satire stance that had set a dangerous precedent.
https://gizmodo.com/apple-blocks-pulitzer-prize-winning-cartoonist-from-app-5517890
While this is welcome news, it’s still unfortunate that it took a wave of internet protest to get the app (almost) reinstated. And as Fiore himself pointed out to the Wall Street Journal, he’s getting “preferential treatment” because of his status and public awareness. Until Apple changes their anti-satire policy in a comprehensive way, who knows how many other voices will be left out in the cold.
UPDATE: As anticipated, Mark Fiore’s NewsToons app has been instated in the App Store. Still no word on any sweeping changes in Apple’s anti-satire policy. [WSJ]
