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PEN AWARDS

Hebdo Editor: Shock Is Part of Debate

“Being shot is not.”

Gerard Biard, editor-in-chief for French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, accepted the Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award at the PEN American Center awards Tuesday night. Biard received a standing ovation as he spoke about his newspaper’s satirical cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, which provoked two Islamist gunmen to attack its offices in January and kill 12 people. “Growing up to be a citizen, is to learn that some ideas, some words, some images can be shocking,” he told the gala. “Being shocked is part of democratic debate. Being shot is not.”

Read it at Reuters

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