Illinois editor fired over Muslim cartoons

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., March 15 (UPI) -- A University of Illinois student newspaper editor has been fired for publishing controversial Danish cartoons of the Muslim prophet Mohammed last month.

A news release from Mary Cory, publisher of the Illini Media Company, which publishes The Daily Illini at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign said Acton Gorton failed to adequately discuss the publication of the cartoons before they appeared in print Feb. 9, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Gorton said he is disappointed but not surprised.

"I really thought I would be able to get my job back after I explained my point of view," he said. He also said he plans to file a lawsuit over the way his termination was handled.

Gorton was three months into a one-year term.

The cartoons depict Mohammed with a bomb-shaped turban and in other ways that offended Muslims worldwide and resulted in violent demonstrations.