It's more subtle than this. Many major media outlets (most?) have not ever reprinted any of Charlie Hebdo's cartoons. Even now, where many viewers want to see them, you have to look around a while to find reprints. Copies are around, but they aren't exactly prolific.

Consider this article which talks about this very issue, they don't show any offensive cartoons. http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/09/media/paris-manhunt-mohammed-cartoons/index.html

I think, and Charlie Hebdo staff had said years ago, that if you're self-censoring because of fear of violent reprisals from fringe elements (of any group), you're doing a disservice to everyone else, and especially the non-violent vast majority of the group. It's particularly true here when the cartoon itself is something you need to see to understand the whole story. But CNN won't show it.

"Journalistically, every bone says we want to use and should use" the cartoons, Zucker said. But "as managers, protecting and taking care of the safety of our employees around the world is more important right now." http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/07/media/charlie-hebdo-terror-attack-media-mohammed-cartoons/index.html

OK, if the timing right now is no good, I understand. I disagree, because it's discriminating against the vast majority of non-violent Muslims all over the world. But I understand the don't-pour-gasoline-on-the-fire logic, even if it's weak. If that's true, though, when will the time be right? At this rate, by CNN's standards, never. That suggests permanent self-censorship, but only for one major world religion. How sad.

Douglas Perkins at 2015-01-11T06:13:08Z

I think it's also different to show a cartoon because it's relevant to a news story, and to show them just to offend/provoke people.

But I agree that we seem to be hypocritical when it comes to what is "free speech" and what is not. Also read Glenn Greenwald's article (warning, he has plenty of offensive cartoons): https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/01/09/solidarity-charlie-hebdo-cartoons/

sazius at 2015-01-11T09:29:00Z

olm-e likes this.