We woke yesterday to news of the horrific attack by armed gunmen on the offices of satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Twelve people including the editor were killed.
Charlie Hebdo is known for publishing controversial content. Reports say it's clear there's a link between its provocative cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed and the attack. One witness who survived by hiding under a table heard the pair cry "we have avenged the prophet".
The attack has been roundly, and rightly, condemned.
It was a terrible day, not just for journalism, not just for freedom of speech, not just for Islam - which is bearing the backlash in increasingly intolerant sectors of Europe, but for humanity in general. Immediately following the incident some media outlets were already censoring themselves - perhaps fearful that reproducing images from Charlie Hebdo would see themselves targeted. In contrast though, many stood up and said "Je Suis Charlie", aligning themselves not only with those slain, but with others digusted, perplexed and saddened by events in Paris.
