Abstract

As the world looked on in horror at the Paris terror attacks of January and November 2015, France found itself at the centre of a war that has split across nations and continents. The attacks set in motion a steady creep towards ever more repressive state surveillance, and have fuelled the resurgence of the far right across Europe and beyond, while leaving the left dangerously divided. These developments raise profound questions about a number of issues central to contemporary debates, including the nature of national identity, the limits to freedom of speech, and the role of both traditional and social media.

After Charlie Hebdo brings together an international range of scholars to assess the social and political impact of the Paris attacks in Europe and beyond. Cutting through the hysteria that has characterised so much of the initial commentary, it seeks to place these events in their wider global context, untangling the complex symbolic web woven around 'Charlie Hebdo' to pose the fundamental question - how best to combat racism in our supposedly ‘post-racial’ age?

Gavan Titley is a senior lecturer in Media Studies in Maynooth University, and a Docent in the Swedish School of Social Science, Helsinki University. He is the author of The Crises of Multiculturalism: Racism in a Neoliberal Age (with Alana Lentin, 2011) and Racism and Media (forthcoming, 2018) and his most recent edited book is National Conversations? Public Service Media and Cultural Diversity (2013). He is a co-editor of the book series Challenging Migration Studies.

Des Freedman is professor of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is the author of The Contradictions of Media Power (2014) and The Politics of Media Policy (2008). He is also an editor of the journal Global Media and Communication.

Aurelien Mondon is a senior lecturer in French and Comparative politics at the University of Bath. His research focuses for the most part on the concepts of populism and racism and their impact on democracy. His first monograph A Populist Hegemony? The mainstreaming of the extreme right in France and Australia was published in 2013.

Gholam Khiabany is a senior lecturer in the Dept of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London.

‘A unique transnational take on the weaponisation of liberal values after the Paris attacks. After Charlie Hebdo takes Islamophobia apart and equips us for the fight back.’
Liz Fekete, Director, Institute of Race Relations

‘An engaging contribution to our understanding of the 2015 attacks, examining the media framing of the event and the conflict of values it created in public debate.’
Romain Badouard, University of Cergy-Pontoise

‘A bold, challenging and forthright collection that raises fundamental questions around issues of race and identity.’
Michael Cronin, Trinity College Dublin

‘These essays offer stimulating perspectives on the violent paradoxes of French liberalism. For English speakers, they give valuable context to the political dynamics behind the Charlie episode.’
Nick Riemer, University of Sydney

‘The attack on Charlie Hebdo has been a transformative event, one that presents particular challenges for freedom of speech. This insightful collection helps us to reflect on how we can develop an alternative narrative on violence, racism and freedom of expression.’
Donatella della Porta, Scuola Normale Superiore (Florence)