Je Suis Charlie#...Press Freedom, is there a limit?

The issue of Press Freedom has been on my mind since the attack on Charlie Hebdo. I joined many other people in the world to condemn the attack with the slogan “#Je suis Charlie#”. Attacking the press is tantamount to attacking freedom of speech. Nothing can replace the life of a human being; it is too precious to be toyed with.

This notwithstanding at what point do we say the media has crossed their limit? Do they even have a limit at all?

The truth still remains that no person has the right to the take the life of another but in as much as I abhor the act of killing; I feel Charlie Hebdo brought this upon itself. The attack on them kept me wondering; does press freedom have a limit? Does Press Freedom mean the Press can go about disrespecting people because they are free to speak?

Charlie Hebdo has a long history of publishing provocative images.

The newspaper has been the target of protests by outraged Muslims and Islamic extremists after it published unflattering depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. Charlie Hebdo’s editor and cartoonist Stephane Charbonnier told the Associated Press in 2012 that his magazine “does caricatures of everyone, and above all every week, but when we do it with the Prophet, its called provocation.

Muhammad isn’t sacred to me. I don’t blame Muslims for not laughing at our drawings. I live under French law. I don’t live under Quranic law.” Charlie Hebdo in February 2006 reprinted a Danish newspapers cartoon depictions of the Holy Prophet, earning the publication a reprimand from Islamic groups who claimed the images incited hatred against Muslims.

Clearly Charlie Hebdo has consistently stepped on the toes of Islamic Extremist and the entire Islam fraternity. If these Journalists did all their depictions and cartoons under the auspices of Press Freedom, then what happened to the right of the people who are associated with the Prophet Muhammad? The fact that the Holy Prophet was not sacred to the editor of Charlie Hebdo did not mean he wasn’t to the billions of Muslim in the world. We talk about world peace but for me it is meaningless when we hide behind a phrase to allow people disrespect others. Why would Charlie Hebdo consistently mock the Holy Prophet when they know Islamic law prohibits any depiction of the Holy Prophet Muhammad? We all need peace, and respect for each other would ensure that to a large extent.

There is no doubt that Media can be a powerful tool to effect change. Much the same way, it can be used to fuel violence. Charlie Hebdo could have avoided this by criticizing issues that threatened World Peace. I personally don’t see how criticizing the Holy Prophet or even caricaturizing him enhances peace.

Mahmood Mamdani in his account of the Rwanda genocide spelt out clearly how the media contributed to the genocide. Believe it or not, the media can create tension that would not inure to the benefit of Society; they did it in Rwanda and now in Paris (thanks to the “responsible” act by Charlie). Twelve people lost their lives because of something that could have been avoided.

World leaders can do better than pouring out solidarity messages. Let’s condemn what is condemnable. They have condemned the killing of the Journalists, which is commendable; now how about the workers of Charlie Hebdo? I hope they would be bold enough to condemn the magazine’s reckless and continuous publication of materials that touched on the sensitivity of the Islamic faith.

Press freedom should never be taken to mean that the Press can publish anything they like. I agree that Freedom of the press protects the right of the press to obtain and publish information or opinions without government censorship or fear of punishment. But even at that, Censorship occurs when the government examines publications and productions and identifies offensive materials. I know there have been instances in Ghana where press persons have been charged for causing fear and panic among the citizenry. All those actions were not aimed at stopping the media from carrying out their watch dog role. Ghana is still counted among the nations who hail press freedom.

Circumspection should be the name of the game. The media should be circumspect in their reportage. They have to start thinking about the general good their report would do to all people and not necessarily focusing on carving a niche for itself.

Constructive criticism enhances growth and development. How has the caricature of the Holy Prophet made any positive impact to the world? It has only brought pain and sorrow in the hearts of both the innocent and the “not so innocent.”

Issues about the Holy Prophet are of importance to about 1.57 billion people in the world, whether extremist or not; does that not mean anything to us?

Author: Eunice Asantewaa Ankomah?www.wryta.wordpress.com