To wish our press made a stand for enlightenment values....

[Babycham1979]

....and all published the cartoons of Mohammed on their front covers tomorrow.

The right to freedom of expression and to cause offence are fundamental principles that underpin European values and liberal western democracy; surely the only response to the Charlie Hebdo shootings is for our society to make a stand against this kind of fascist terrorism and show that we can't be cowed by bullying.

Some people may be offended, but that's the price you pay for reaping the benefits of living in a modern, liberal, secular society. If our media bows down to this kind of violence, surely the nut-jobs have won? Self-imposed censorship is still censorship.

[UptheChimney]

i mean the media doesn't portray the actions and activities of the Westboro Baptist Church

You're stretching the analogy beyond what is reasonable or rational: as vile & hate-filled as the Westboro Baptists are, they don't murder people for drawing things.

[ghostland]

Quebec Muslim Leader - Islam not a threat, Charlie Hebdo Fundamentalist

[DoctorTwo]

Could all of you who think the cartoonists brought this upon themselves by drawing pictures just think about the following statements:-

She shouldn't have been wearing that short skirt.
She shouldn't have drunk so much.
Well, she was walking alone at night.
She should never have got in that unlicenced minicab on her own.

Do you see how you come across to people who refuse to put the blame anywhere other than at the hands of the perpetrators? Nobody is to blame but them and their twisted ideology. And those Moslems who are offended by drawings? Hard luck. Freedom of speech includes the right to say things others don't like, and frankly if your god finds offence in a drawing then your god needs to grow ovaries of steel.

[Ubik1]

I think what we are seeing is the conflict in the Middle East know coming to Europe.
Many Muslims die in terror attacks carried out by other Muslims. People died in Pakistan today. I think it is in part about freedom of speech but what is clear that this is also about a group of terrorists exercising power in Europe. They don't care who they kill as long as we are scared enough to change our values and our way of life.
Ordinary Muslim neighbours and colleagues are as much under threat as the rest of us, whatever colour or creed.

[LemonySnug]

I find the attitude of the BBC pandering to this, same applies to the Guardian, the Huffington Post so far only noted that the independent stands up for the right of free speech. To think the BBC gets licence fee money for their cowardish political correctness going mad behaviour. sHAME ON YOU BBC. If ordinary people can't rely on politics and journalism to uphold our values, of course right wing parties will win, because only they offer an alternative. The rest are cowering until it is too late.

[kitnkaboodle]

Sorry haven't read the whole thread but I'm one of those who feel that, regardless of the outcome, the french newspaper was unnecessarily inflammatory and sounds like they were just out to shock. For those of you who think that we all should have the right to say whatever we want - we can't. There are laws here - dunno about France - against saying anything to stir up hatred for people based on their race. If I wrote an article saying, eg, that all jews were dangerous nutters, I'd rightfully be prosecuted. In the uk at least, your right to frew speech most definitely does not include the right to be as offensive as you like

[Ubik1]

I think lemony that publications have the right to decide what content they carry. That is also part of freedom of speech.

[LemonySnug]

And that is why people will be forced to vote fa right, so be it.

Not just the UK but across Europe, it was already happening but this will open the floodgates. The price for not wanting to tackle the demolishment of Western values.

[BigChocFrenzy]

Victim-blaming is despicable. Those cartoons were NOT insulting any race or trying to stir up hatred. They would have been legal in the UK - if anyone dared print them.

Charlie Hebdo is a left-leaning satirical magazine, strong on women's rights and gay rights, the kind of issues we normally support on Mumsnet. They've run a lot of cartoons over the years ridiculing racists like the French Front National.

The Kosher deli, where the terrorists murdered 4 hostages, couldn't have been that provocative, just selling salt beef and that smelly cabbage.
I'm outraged at the death penalty for that, or for poking fun at misogenists and homophobes.

Personally, I find all cartoons childish, especially UK political ones. However, if I don't stand up for the right of daft cartoonists to publish, there may be noone left prepared to stand up for what I do feel important, e.g. that a brilliant author like Salmon Rushdie shouldn't have to suffer decades under threat of death from the Iranian fatwa and consequent Sky Fairy nutters.

[LemonySnug]

What a sad way to start a new year, especially terrible for the families of the victims.

[Whowillsaveyoursoul]

Islam will be the end of western society as we know it now. I worry what sort of oppressive routine will be in place by the time my son is an adult. It's too late now to stop it. For some reason it has been protected by the uk press and government as being untouchable.
As far as these extremeist guys are concerned it's their way or no way.

[LemonySnug]

Agree. Maybe best to try to go to the States, but that is not so easy.