The Danish newspaper famous for its decision a decade ago to publish cartoons mocking Islam and the prophet Muhammad, said Friday that it won’t republish cartoons from French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo because it’s afraid of being attacked.
“It shows that violence works,” the newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, explained in an editorial.
Islamic terrorists attacked the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris Wednesday, killing 10 journalists and two police officers in the process. It is widely believed that the murderous assault was revenge for the magazine’s satirical portrayals of Muslims.
Ten years earlier, in September 2005, Jyllands-Posten faced an onslaught of threats after it published 12 cartoons that mocked Islam and Muhammad. Luckily for the newspaper, none of its staff were killed. At least 50 people died during protests against the cartoons in countries with large Muslim populations, Reuters reported.
The aftermath of that particular experience has haunted Jyllands-Posten’s staff for nearly a decade.
“We have lived with the fear of a terrorist attack for nine years, and yes, that is the explanation why we do not reprint the cartoons, whether it be our own or Charlie Hebdo’s,” the newspaper’s editorial said. “We are also aware that we therefore bow to violence and intimidation.”
Following Wednesday’s massacre in France, the Danish newspaper tightened its security, fearing a copy attack on its employees.
“The concern for our employees’ safety is paramount,” the newspaper said.
Jyllands-Posten is the only major Danish newspaper not to republish the Charlie Hebdo cartoons.
