The importance of journalism in the wake of the ‘Charlie Hedbo’ attack (Editorial)
More stories from Sarah Payne
Around the world and close to home, journalism is important for maintaining our freedom.
On January 7, eleven French journalists and one police officer were killed by two masked gunmen. The satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo received support from millions of people across the globe, including many of their fellow cartoonists.
Many of the cartoonists posted their own cartoons representing the events with quotes like “My heart is with Charlie Hebdo,” “Today, I am a press cartoonist. Today, I am a journalist. Today, I draw for Charlie Hebdo,” and “The world has become so serious that humor is a risky proffession.” Two of the most significant captions were “No freedom without freedom of press,” and “Died for the freedom of expression.”
The attack that took place last week is not only a tragic event, but a violation of journalist rights. Journalism’s purpose is to inform, educate, and persuade. When journalists are censored and their ability to access information is infringed upon, the job of journalists is made all that much harder–and dangerous.
Journalism is a representation of a nation, and limiting what newspapers can talk about limits what the citizens can think about. Human nature is full of opinions, and nations are made of people who share them. Journalists are modes of transportation for ideas and thoughts. Without these individuals, the sharing of thought across borders is restricted and disables people from expanding their minds beyond their own experiences.
The cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo may be seen as offensive, but the response was unwarranted and makes the title ‘journalist’ a much more dangerous one to carry for journalists everywhere.
Charlie Hebdo’s late editor and cartoonist Stéphane Charbonnier, also known as Charb, said in an interview, “Maybe it’s a little pompous to say, but I’d rather die standing than live on my knees.” By defending his rights as a journalist until the end, I believe he did just that.
Disclaimer: Articles designated as “Editorial” represent the views and opinions of the author, not the 2014-2015 Periscope staff, CHS Administration, or the CHS student body.
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Sarah Payne is in 10th grade. She works in Periscope as a Perspectives Writer. She reads, writes, and watches movies. Her favorite book is the Hobbit,...
Nikki Marshall is a junior at Carlisle High School. She just moved here from El Paso, Texas. She is a self-described military brat who is very creative...
Ryan Doody • Mar 24, 2015 at 9:27 am
There are times in my life when I ask myself: “What would Anderson Cooper do?” and if Andy would not do the thing that I would like to do then I do not do that thing. I remember one time I saw an a report Andy was giving from somewhere in the Middle East. He was reporting live and in the distance he hears a large explosion. My boy doesn’t even flinch. He just tells the camera that “There had just been a large explosion” and then continues with his report. I wish I had the cahones to keep going when my life was endangered. Andy C is an American Hero.
Brianna Robison • Jan 21, 2015 at 8:37 am
In some cases, being a journalist means you have to put yourself in some of the most vulerable positions. The attack on Charlie Hebdo was definitely a tragedy that will be remembered for ages but it has also shown the world that journalism is a career that involves alot of dignity and fortitude.