The latest edition of Charlie Hebdo is scattered around Paris airports. Source: AP
IN A show of solidarity with French publication Charlie Hebdo, Air France has purchased 20,000 copies of the latest edition of the magazine to hand out to passengers.
The copy of the satirical magazine is the latest since two gunmen attacked the Charlie Hebdo offices killing 12 people and injuring 11 more.
The magazines have been distributed in the lounges and boarding areas of both Paris airports (Charles de Gaulle and Orly) for passengers who wish to take a copy.
The cover of the issue depicts a cartoon of a tearful Prophet Mohammed, with the words: “All is forgiven.”
According to an Air France spokeswoman, the decision was made to show support for the controversial publication in the wake of the terror attack.
“This offer is meant as a support to a French press title,” she told The Independent.
Although the airline normally receives mainly free promotional copies of national dailies, the French carrier paid the full €3 (AUD$4.24) per issue.
Air France CEO Frederic Gagey has made a move in support of press freedom. Source: AFP
The magazine is no stranger to controversy and the latest issue has again resulted in death threats which no doubt influenced Turkey’s decision to ban all websites that depict the front cover.
The move by Air France also stands in stark contrast to the decision by the British Sky News not to show the cover on air and even swiftly cutting away from a live interview with a French Journalist who attempted to hold it up to the camera.
Despite certain institutions attempting to distance themselves from the polarising image, demand in France and other European countries for the latest edition has been strong. The magazine usually prints around 60,000 per issue but after initially increasing that to 3 million to cope with demand, Charlie Hebdo has now printed 5 million copies of what has come to be known as the “survival edition.”
A traveller walk past a copy of the Charlie Hebdo front cover in Washington, DC. Source: AFP
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