Today’s front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer featured a rousing, inspiring article concerning the response by the French to the Jan. 7 terrorist attacks which included the murders of 12 staff members at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
It triumphantly noted that 5 million copies of the first post-attack edition of the magazine — again with an image of Mohammed on the front page — quickly sold out as throngs lined up pre-dawn at newsstands to buy one.
The rousing, inspiring article was missing just one thing. This:
Yes, the actual image, which is the only honest way of expressing solidarity with the unbowed.
We have to grade the Inky’s attempt at journalistic courage a failure. Still, we give them a half-point (well, quarter-pointer, OK tenth of a point) for trying.
The Inquirer also carried an interesting article concerning Pope Francis’ take on the controversy which is that speech should be free but used wisely i.e. don’t look for stupid fights, respect the religious views of others etc. and we agree completely.
As we had not heard of Charlie Hebdo until last week, and do not speak French hence cannot fairly put in context images we have seen on the web, we can’t speak to what it had published in the past.
We can, however, say that this week’s cover showing a tearful Mohammed expressing remorse at what was done in his name with the victims saying “All is forgiven” is the epitome of the wise use of free speech.
Shame the Inquirer didn’t have the guts to show its readers.
