• French Media Cos. Offer to Keep 'Charlie Hebdo' Running

    Less than 24 hours after two gunmen walked into the Parisian offices of "Charlie Hebdo" and opened fire, killing 10 key staffers, the French media is working together to figure out how to keep the publication running. The publication takes a weekly satirical look at hot button political and religious issues — something everyone does not always appreciate. In fact, the offices were fire bombed back in 2010, leading to a regular police presence around the perimeter of the building the newspaper was located in. While not everyone agrees with the content that has been produced by "Charlie Hebdo," the right to produce it has been widely supported, especially in light of this tragedy. According to a report by "The Hollywood Reporter," the French media is beginning to work together to align itself so "Charlie Hebdo" will continue, exactly what the gunmen still on the loose did not want to see happen. "TV giant France Televisions, Radio France and newspaper 'Le Monde,' in a joint statement late on Wednesday, [Jan. 7,] vowed to offer human and material support needed to keep 'Charlie Hebdo' alive. They didn't immediately detail how much staff and what other help they would make available. "The three groups invite all French media who have mobilized since this morning to meet to preserve the principles of independence and liberty of thought and expression, the guarantors of our democracy," said an official statement that was announced this morning regarding the future of "Charlie Hebdo."
  • 12 Dead in Terrorist Attack at Satirical Newspaper 'Charlie Hebdo' Offices in Paris

    What an awful story to begin the day, as we have learned that two gunmen stormed the offices of "Charlie Hebdo," a French satirical newspaper, and opened fire during an editorial meeting. As of now, 12 people are confirmed dead and at least 10 more are injured. The shooting reportedly went on for five minutes and, in spite of having a shootout with police, both gunmen are still on the loose. The publication has been vilified for years because of its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad and its offices were actually fire bombed once before. The publication had been seen as so much of a target that up until recently there was a strong police presence outside of the offices. Sources have said that it was only recently that the building became less protected. According to Chris Parsons of Yahoo News UK, French President Francois Hollande visited the site of the attack and has since called an emergency meeting. "Charlie Hebdo" has a history of causing controversy with cartoons of Islam's prophet Muhammad. Speaking to the BBC after its office was firebombed in November 2011, the paper's editor-in-chief, Stephane Charbonnier — who is said to be among the dead today — said the incident had only confirmed that it was right to take the stance it did.
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