Ten years on and is France still ‘Je suis Charlie’?
Spectator (UK)JAN 3
France Marks Charlie Hebdo Attack Anniversary
Above: A commemorative plaque on the rue Nicolas Appert building during a ceremony organized by the journalists union in tribute to the victims of the attack on Jan. 7 2015 at the Charlie Hebdo newspaper, in Paris, on Jan. 7, 2025. Image copyright: MAGALI COHEN/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The right to satirize and mock any belief, including religion, remains essential to democracy and must be defended without compromise, as demonstrated by Charlie Hebdo's continued publication of provocative cartoons despite threats and violence. It's unfortunate that current threats to freedom of speech are not just coming from extremists, but also from elites who resist dissenting viewpoints and walk on eggshells in order to avoid tough discussions.
Narrative B
The newspaper's provocative approach has unnecessarily widened social divisions and alienated younger generations who see its satire as insensitive to marginalized communities, particularly Muslims, leading to a fracturing of the initial post-attack unity. While condemnation of the violent nature of this attack is necessary, continuing to defend provocations like the controversial Prophet Muhammad cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo and others in the name of free speech disregards the harm they cause and perpetuates systemic marginalization.