Joke Issue Firebombing Fails To Detour Newspaper

Michael Hedges November 2, 2011 Follow on Twitter

Condemnations came swiftly from all quarters after the offices of French satirical newspaper were destroyed in early morning hours Wednesday (November 2). “One or two incendiary devices,” witnesses reported to Le Monde, were thrown through windows causing extensive damage to electrical and computer systems. “Everything was destroyed,” said publisher Charb. There were no injuries.

The current issue of the weekly (November 2) renamed itself Sharia Hebdo to “celebrate” the new Tunisian government’s decision to legislate by Sharia law, reported AFP (October 31) The prophet Mohammed was named guest “editor.” The firebombing is widely suspected to be a reaction to perceived insults to Islam.

“We feel we're just doing our job as usual,” said publisher Charb, quoted by AFP (October 31). “The only difference is that this week, Mohammed is on the cover and that's quite rare.”

The front cover, distributed with the promotional statement earlier this week, featured a cartoon depiction of prophet Mohammed captioned “100 lashes if you don’t die of laughter.”  On the back cover the cartoon says,” Yes, Islam is compatible with humor.” Also in the issue is a Madame Sharia section. When asked on the BBC (November 2) if the Charlie Hebdo team had any regrets, a spokesperson said there were no regrets but the firebombing was unexpected.

“We may not agree with today’s issue of Charlie Hebdo,” said Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë on radio channel RMC, “but our society needs freedom of expression.” M. Delanoë said he’d help the newspaper find a new location. Nicolas Demorand, chief editor of Libération, offered to give space to Charlie Hebdo journalists. Le Nouvel Observateur editor Laurent Joffrin made a similar offer.

“Freedom of expression is an inalienable value of our democracy and the violation of freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest terms,” said French Prime Minister François Fillon in a statement. “No cause can justify violent action.”

“Press freedom is inseparable from universal suffrage,” said Minister of Culture and Communications Frederic Mitterrand in a statement. “There is no democracy without irreverence, without parody or without satire.”

“If it was arson, it’s quite disgusting,” said French presidential candidate and Member of the European Parliament Jean-Luc Mélenchon on Europe 1 radio. “I'm sure the newspaper will find the strength to bounce back. But be careful not to make a strange combination. We must have the intellectual discipline not to confuse a handful of idiots, morons, who will be severely punished, I hope, with the mass of our fellow Muslims who practice their faith in peace.” Hackers also defaced the Charlie Hebdo website with messages in French and Turkish.

In 2006 the newspaper reprinted several of the controversial Jyllands-Posten cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed. Islamic organizations in France sued and the case was tossed out of court.

See also in ftm Knowledge

Media in France

French audiences are moving fast to every new platform. Mobile and Web media challenges the old guard while rule makers seek new directions. Media life in France... and a few secrets. includes updated Resources 143 pages PDF (November 2011)

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