Editorial cartoons about the erosion of freedoms displayed in Geneva

Every two years in Geneva, two cartoonists receive an international prize recognizing their commitment and courage.

This year, the winners are Safaa Odah from Palestine and Jimmy “Spire” Ssentongo from Uganda.

Throughout the month of May, their work, along with a selection of topical cartoons, is on display on Quai Wilson.

The 2026 edition is dedicated to three current topics as interpreted by cartoonists from around the world: new empires, the impact of artificial intelligence, and freedoms under attack.

On the Line

Anthony Feinstein in The Globe & Mail.

Strongmen have an extraordinarily thin skin when it comes to laughing at themselves.

It is a striking that these men with enormous power, vast armies, lethal weapons, and apparently limitless self-confidence fear the simple cartoon. 

Is it because they know instinctively that Mark Twain was correct when he had one of his characters observe, “Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand”? 

Hitler’s fury at being lampooned by the cartoons of David Low pales, however, when compared to the violence unleashed more than half a century later by 12 cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad published by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. 

Telnaes: Democracy Under Siege Makes Its U.S. Debut May 1st

From The Daily Cartoonist.

For four days, beginning May 1, 2026, Ann Telnaes and Friends are making the Laura Dix documentary Democracy Under Siege available in the United States.

26th World Press Freedom International Editorial Cartoon Competition (Results)

First Prize: Darko Drljevic, Montenegro

The jury, composed of five members of World Press Freedom Canada met on April 8 to select the winners of the 26th World Press Freedom International Editorial Cartoon Competition.

The theme, this year, was "Times are tough".

Michael de Adder wins National Newspaper Award 2025

Michael de Adder of the Globe and Mail is a second time winner in the Illustrated Commentary category at the 77th edition of the National Newspaper Awards.

Julie Rocheleau designs the 2026 MCAF poster

From the MCAF Facebook page.

To illustrate the theme of its next edition, Alive!, and mark its 15th anniversary, the FBDM chose a prominent figure from the Montreal comic book scene and a regular participant in the Festival.

After working as a freelancer in animation studios, Julie Rocheleau turned to comics in the early 2010s, with notable and award-winning collaborations in Canada, Europe and the United States. 

She is notably the co-author of 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘦-𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘣 and 𝘓𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦. This queen of illustration in Quebec likes to play with representations of fauna and flora. Her posters, with their dynamic compositions, are always elegant and sensitive, with a unique punk touch.

She was therefore the obvious choice to illustrate the poster for this year's edition.

Chinese dissident on trial

From The Guardian.

Miss Mao

Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, known for making satirical sculptures of China’s former leader Mao Zedong, has been tried over accusations of “defaming national heroes and martyrs”.

Gao, 69, who was detained in 2024 during a visit to China from the US, faces a maximum three-year prison sentence.