There is only one issue that has gripped the European media during the latter days of last week, the tragic loss of life in the attack on the office of the French satirical journal, Charlie Hebdo and in the subsequent sieges which concluded last Friday evening with further deaths of innocent hostages.

 This attack on a weekly news sheet, whose main currency is the cartoon, often personal, offensive and anti-religious, has raised yet again the whole question of the nature of the freedom of the press. In a democracy we have to tolerate the views of those with whom we disagree, arguing our position but doing so within the legal framework of the state.

 The history of satire is reflective of the European political scene for the last three hundred years. It is healthy, and at times necessary, that humour through word or image is used to question a particular position, belief or social circumstance.

 The argument for preservation of press freedom must continue even though the cost may be high. That freedom extends beyond print journalism into the world of broadcasting and the internet. But freedom carries with it responsibility, and a charge that everyone who puts pen to paper to express an opinion must exercise care and sensitivity in what results from their labours.

      The piece below was written some 24 hours after the Paris attack.
The cartoon was one among very many that appeared in the European press, this one published by the Independent in the UK . Direct, crude but above all defiant. “… perhaps when we tire of holding up our middle finger we can try to think about why the world is as it is” is the view of the graphic artist Joe Sacco. That is a serious and necessary question that we cannot avoid.

 May those who died in these turbulent days, rest in peace.

 Charlie Hebdo

 I am who Am

uttered the God

of the Hebrew people

the One we have taken,

torn apart, and made

our small, sectarian own.

Identify this Thursday morning,

as sombre bells ring

out across a chastened city

with those whose lives were lost

in a narrow Paris office,

whose voice and vision

was spread wide

on the chill Winter wind.

 Later, amid candles and flowers,

crowds gathered in solidarity.

World-wide, #jesuischarlie

became their mournful

silent song across the night.

By the loss of a single letter

their personal plea is changed

                      and a statement

                   becomes a prayer

END