The world is coming to see the murderous attack in Paris on the staff of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly magazine that regularly poked fun at Mohammed and mocked Islamic fundamentalists, as an assault on free speech and freedom of expression.
While a dozen died in a hail of automatic weapon fire, Charlie Hebdo lives on. The first issue since the attack has sold more than 3 million copies across France. Publishers Weekly has announced its own effort to rally to liberty’s defense with an ongoing program to promote free expression.
“Monday’s issue of PW is a special tribute to freedom of expression,” Andrew Albanese, the magazine’s senior writer, tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “We are running a special section of tribute ads from organizations and individuals in the publishing industry stating,“Nous sommes Charlie” – We are Charlie.”
“Going forward, PW will offer a free, one-page ad each week to any qualified nonprofit organization working for freedom of expression,” Albanese added. “The idea is to continue to raise the publishing community’s awareness of the struggles for freedom of expression, not only in the United States but around the world.”
According to PW executives, 100% of contributions for these ads will be donated to four international nonprofits dedicated to freedom of expression:
- American Booksellers for Free Expression
- International Federation of Library Associations
- PEN International
- International Publishers Association
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Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.