Charlie Hebdo Massacre Aftermath: Time to Step Up Anti-terror Plans?

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There's a time for mourning & outrage over an atrocious crime, and there's a time to take stock of the situation.

The world took a moment to express indignation over the massacre that unfolded at the Paris headquarters of the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo that fateful day in January 2015. Brandishing placards that contained the words "Je suis Charlie", countless people took to the streets to denounce the brutal attack which they expressed was an assault on all, not just fervent Muslims & Catholics. The massive demonstrations went viral right after the shooting incidents. World leaders that included US President Barack Obama pledged support for France. French head of state François Hollande could not have echoed a more apt message factions involved, when he said, "We carry an ideal that is greater than us."

Three months after the killings that snuffed the lives out of over a dozen people -- including editorial staff members/cartoonists, plus French police officers and four patrons at the kosher supermarket Hypercacher - the surviving editors & staff of Charlie Hebdo continue to have a defiant mood. From a circulation hovering from 45,000 to 60,000 copies, the newspaper has substantially increased production and has targeted over a million copies.

In related developments, countries have stepped up surveillance measures. As early as January, France has been boosting its anti-terror strategies. The French government has added security agency personnel, increased funds and solidified its anti-terrorism plan.

Psychologists, sociologists, historians and other experts keep citing, that acts easily branded as 'violent" and 'terroristic' are triggered by fanatical religious beliefs or moral frameworks.

In certain countries like Turkey, government has deemed it best to impose a blanket ban on Charlie Hebdo websites. Turkey's civil court based its decision on the way the religious values of people tend to be debased by the material in question. Though it may be construed as a form of repressing freedom of expression, the Turkish court upheld that media entities - including social media platforms - can play crucial roles in curbing provocation of hatred and hostilities.

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