Daily Sabah: It's time French "satirical" magazine Charlie Hebdo ceded publication
REGION 09 February 2023 - 11:41
Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah has published an article by a political analyst, and journalist based in London Klaus Jurgens about the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo's stance which recently mocked the devastating deadly earthquake in Türkiye. The author believes that the "entire free, democracy- and the human rights-loving world must ask itself in the aftermath of this heinous attempt at poking fun at a nation in mourning". The questions that need to be asked are - what kind of mindset is at work? Second, what kind of editorial line is responsible for? Third, what will be the wider impacts of inciting hatred in society at home in France and abroad and not just in Türkiye? Caliber.Az reprints the article.
The proud nation of Türkiye is in the middle of a period of mourning trying to come to terms with the devastating earthquakes that occurred earlier this week. Even seasoned journalists are hard-pressed to find the correct words to describe the horrors, sorrows and unbearable suffering. As I wrote this piece, over 8,500 citizens had lost their lives whilst over 40,000 citizens were injured.
A human catastrophe and a nightmare come true... What can we say? Rescue efforts started immediately but cold weather and the sheer scale of material destruction hamper each and every step. Entire neighbourhoods, towns, and districts of cities have disappeared.
What the region affected now needs most is aid and help and that arrives as fast as logistically possible with even many major roads no longer fit for traffic. We see images of thousands of volunteers from Türkiye eager to go to the region and support rescue teams with their very own hands. Money is collected, and blankets and clothes are dispatched. Every citizen asks herself or himself “How can I help, what can be done?”
Expressing solidarity not just verbally but in practical terms in a period of human catastrophe and crisis best characterizes this fine nation. It does not take away an inch of the suffering, the feeling of loss of loved ones but it underlines that victims realize they are not alone.
Then there are others, bizarre self-styled “commentators” or “cartoonists.” Enter Charlie Hebdo. Not a person, but a foreign publication.
Inciting hatred in France and abroad
Press freedom in Europe is not something marvellous; in fact, editors allowed to incite hatred in society are lauded as champions of free speech.
Bizarre, highly toxic for harmonious living with each other, dangerous, and above all else, potentially a criminal offence as we shall discuss in more detail in this article.
The French publication Charlie Hebdo, according to Wikipedia, is a French satirical weekly magazine featuring cartoons, reports, polemics and jokes that are purportedly harmless. Another kind of adult-oriented comic magazine perhaps? Something one would expect to find toward the end of even serious broadsheet newspapers where the page with “the funnies” is often read first? Reality – lightyears away from that assumption of innocence!
On February 6, 2023, Charlie Hebdo under the byline “drawing of the day” with a mention of “#Juin” as a cartoonist, showed a destroyed building resembling a destroyed town with an overturned car, with the mention of “Earthquake in Türkiye” in the top-right corner and then at the bottom “Don’t even need to send (the) tanks” (author’s own translation from the French language original).
When the news broke that this publication went live and first shocked reactions poured in from abroad as well as Türkiye, commentators everywhere were lost for words, indeed; the author of these lines asked himself “that must be fake news, certainly?” Then the sobering reality kicked in – a quick look at Charlie Hebdo’s website confirmed the rumours.
There are three issues the entire free, democracy- and human rights-loving world must ask itself in the aftermath of this heinous attempt at poking fun at a nation in mourning.
First, what kind of mindset is at work? Second, what kind of editorial line is responsible? Third, what will be the wider impacts of inciting hatred in society at home in France and abroad and not just in Türkiye? A few brief observations about each of these three points can be carried out.
The mindset – it would be easy to blame the parents, the teachers, and the peer groups of those who allowed this “cartoon” to see the light of day. A sick mindset like the one displayed only flourishes if society as such has somehow overlooked tendencies and trends within that very society which may make a journalist or cartoonist think “this is accepted freedom of speech or freedom of expression.” Somewhere in France, the undercurrent of belittling other nations seems to have become the staple diet of accepted or at least tolerated “journalism.”
The editorial line – no one can tell me that the owners and publishers of Charlie Hebdo would not discuss which cartoon, and which words are used before being published. Two options: The editor herself/himself asked a team member to find something that could be used to insult a nation greatly suffering. Alternatively, that team member went ahead and proposed the drawing’s outlook.
The wider impacts – there is more to it all. The Republic of Türkiye is a great, enterprising and successful predominantly Muslim nation where members of all the world’s other faiths are equally made to feel welcome and are happily at home. It is the role model of and for a multicultural, modern nation-state. It hosts over 4 million displaced men, women and children from war-torn countries. Cynics might argue Türkiye stands for and represents all that what the Republic of France once stood for, including liberty and equality.
But that word “liberty” brings us straight to the gist of this opinion page contribution: “Liberty” is a concept that is based on a harmonious living side by side yet without infringing upon the liberties of fellow citizens. The keywords are respect and solidarity. Our profession is similarly based on those concepts – we must address “tricky” topics the same as “easy” subjects. When we now combine the general concept of liberty within society with two further related concepts, freedom of expression and freedom of speech, we have arrived at the recipe for a successful democracy.
One thing all three concepts cannot tolerate ever is when those liberties are misinterpreted and misused to single out “the other,” which can either be a group of people or just an individual.
Türkiye was targeted
In the case of this week’s Charlie Hebdo cartoon to make matters even worse, an entire nation, Türkiye, was chosen in this context. It stirs up animosity in French society, it creates a feeling of shock and uneasiness in Turkish society. The shockwaves are felt all around the globe, though.
The cartoon in question cannot be defended with freedom of expression. It cannot be regarded as freedom of speech. It is not simply bad taste. It does indeed incite hatred within society at home in France and everywhere else.
In many countries hate speech is a criminal offence. When will the French watchdog for the domestic media react and tell Charlie Hebdo’s editors in no unmistaken words that this time, they really went a step too far?
The proud and strong nation of Türkiye will rebuild and move on with this insulting cartoon being nothing more than a sad footnote filed under Islamophobia made in Europe. Much more worrisome is the state of media affairs in France herself – much legal and professional food for thought in Paris and all French regions, that’s for sure.
May God bless the victims and give their families the strength to cope, and they shall rest in peace. May we pray for the injured hoping for a speedy and full recovery. May the nation of Türkiye emerge even more united and even stronger.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Poland suspends military drills following fifth soldier's death
27 March 2024 - 13:41
|
2
|
Ukraine, West unleash hybrid operation against Azerbaijan Baku disappointed with Kyiv’s actions
25 March 2024 - 15:25
|
3
|
Syrian scenario for Armenia Russian, Israeli experts’ views for Caliber.Az
26 March 2024 - 17:27
|
4
|
Serbian president warns of difficult days ahead
27 March 2024 - 11:04
|
5
|
Understanding the complexities of Russian-Turkish relations Putin's delayed visit to Türkiye
25 March 2024 - 14:26
|
Armenia’s exports to Russia raise concerns over sanctions circumvention
28 March 2024 - 23:00
Lavrov blames Armenian leadership for deliberately undermining relations with Moscow
28 March 2024 - 21:09
Turkish, Azerbaijani filmmakers unite for joint historical film Golden Train
28 March 2024 - 20:57
Japan looks to revive commercial aircraft development dreams
28 March 2024 - 20:45
CoE committee plans working visit to Armenia to assess regional dynamics
28 March 2024 - 20:41
Azerbaijan, OIC Youth Forum ink deal for Shusha 2024 program
28 March 2024 - 20:37
Ukraine drone strike hits Russian infrastructure - Belgorod governor
28 March 2024 - 20:29
EU mission in Armenia transitioning to NATO oversight
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov28 March 2024 - 20:20
US buys 2.8 mln barrels of oil for strategic reserve
28 March 2024 - 20:14
Int’l program OIC Youth capital Shusha-2024 to host array of events - minister
28 March 2024 - 19:59
Iran oil & gas expo strategic nexus for domestic & global energy players
28 March 2024 - 19:59
Who is Mohammad Mustafa, Palestinian Prime Minister-designate?
28 March 2024 - 19:45
Shusha holds paramount significance for all Turkic states
OIC Youth Forum president28 March 2024 - 19:35
More than 20% of global oil refining capacity at risk, analysis finds
28 March 2024 - 19:29
Pakistan urges US for Iran gas pipeline waiver, calls project 'need of the hour'
28 March 2024 - 19:14
NYT: Russian group spread disinformation about Princess of Wales
28 March 2024 - 19:00
UN picks Saudi Arabia to lead women’s rights forum despite "abysmal" record
28 March 2024 - 18:49
Moroccan journalist advocates for truth in reporting on Azerbaijan
28 March 2024 - 18:36
Pundit warns of new crisis in Armenian-Russian relations
28 March 2024 - 18:21
The American Prospect: One more way Supreme Court legalizes corruption
Disgraced Bob Menendez pretending to “run” for re-election28 March 2024 - 18:07
Russian parliament assesses Türkiye's position on Moscow terrorist attack
28 March 2024 - 17:53
Mortality rate exceeds birth rate in Georgia
28 March 2024 - 17:40
President Erdogan alleges global opposition to Türkiye's actions
VIDEO28 March 2024 - 17:26
Greece's military shift sparks controversy as air force fleet shrinks
28 March 2024 - 17:13
The New York Times: Why Russia’s vast security services fell short on deadly attack
28 March 2024 - 17:00
Armenia's Republican Party advocates Western solutions for national challenges
28 March 2024 - 16:49
Turkiye neutralizes over 600 “terrorists” since January
28 March 2024 - 16:40
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia
Azerbaijani flag raised28 March 2024 - 16:25
Azerbaijan's scepticism, Russia's concerns, & France's role in the South Caucasus
Geopolitical chess28 March 2024 - 16:10
Armenia lured by Brussels' bait
Yerevan’s pivot from Moscow28 March 2024 - 15:58
What does the Moscow terror attack mean for Russia?
The enemy is much closer28 March 2024 - 15:43
The Hub: COP29 to nudge global climate policy in a more pragmatic position
28 March 2024 - 15:29
Armenia’s ruling party affirms unity amidst allegations of “government in exile”
28 March 2024 - 15:14
Armenian opposition media alleges PM Pashinyan plot to remove Russian base
28 March 2024 - 15:00
PKK supporters spark chaos at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
VIDEO28 March 2024 - 14:49
Media: Terrorists in Moscow attack drugged with psychotropic substances
28 March 2024 - 14:40
Azerbaijani Ombudswoman meets with Armenian residents in Khankendi
28 March 2024 - 14:31
Georgian Business Association names main problem for business in Georgia
28 March 2024 - 14:22
S Korea, US, Japan discuss security cooperation against N Korea threats
28 March 2024 - 14:10
Armenian prime minister's office denounces government in exile
28 March 2024 - 14:00