For some who seek to silence the voices of the press, only murder will do
Kevin Rafferty laments the erosion of media freedoms that set the stage for the Charlie Hebdo attack
Je suis Charlie - I am Charlie - the slogan of solidarity with the murdered editor, cartoonists and journalists of , the French satirical weekly, caught fire on social media and in spontaneous demonstrations that spread throughout Europe. Nous sommes tous Charlie!
Sadly, it is too late for the dead journalists, and later than you think for press freedoms, which have been badly eroded worldwide; the hope must be that the assassinations may waken political and media leaders to understand what is at stake.
French President Francois Hollande went rapidly to the scene to condemn the murders as an attack on the values of France. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron stood shoulder to shoulder to condemn and offer support to Hollande. US President Barack Obama and UN chief Ban Ki-moon also denounced the "despicable" outrage.
Without wishing to accuse these leaders of hypocrisy, they have contributed to a remorseless undermining of the freedom of the press, which is vital to good government and governance.
In Asia, the challenge is more pointed. Chinese President Xi Jinping is assiduously stifling freedom of expression. Gmail was recently blocked and Xi has demanded that universities do more to promote Marxist doctrine and Communist Party ideological guidance.
In Japan, the danger is more insidious, with a prickly prime minister who resents criticism or even questions, reporters too cosy with the people they are supposed to be investigating, and a general wish not to challenge harmony with awkward questions.
