First Charlie Hebdo cover since terrorist attack - Madison Escano

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/13/charlie-hebdo-cover-magazine-prophet-muhammad

This Wednesday's edition of the French satirical  magazine, Charlie Hebdo, features a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad on the front cover. This edition will be the first since last week's terrorist attack on the magazine's offices that left 12 dead. The cartoon displays the prophet shedding a tear and holding a sign that reads, "Je suis Charlie," that sympathizes with the victims of the terrorist attack. The phrase has also been used to rally support and bring awareness to the idea of free speech within the press. A record of 3 million magazines will be printed by the company in 16 languages. A protest in France on Sunday concerning free speech had over 4 million people participating. 

What a tragedy for the victims, their family and friends, supporters of the magazine, and for the group of people that will be wrongly persecuted because they share the same religion with the gunmen. Free speech is extremely important for journalism as we continue to progress as a society. By withholding information and censoring creativity, things become sort of taboo, and some of these ideas need to be addressed. Journalism is a tool that can help open communication and promote universal tolerance. In regards to U.S. history, the government passed a bill that prevented journalists from "slandering" politicians. If we adapt this mindset, we are only hurting ourselves and remaining ignorant.