Tina Fey: ‘We Cannot Back Down on Free Speech in Any Way’
Tina Fey: ‘We Cannot Back Down on Free Speech in Any Way’
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Actress Tina Fey arrives at the 21st Annual ELLE Women In Hollywood Awards at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on October 20, 2014.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin—FilmMagic / Getty Images
In the wake of Wednesday’s shooting at the Paris office of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which left at least 10 journalists and two police officers dead, comedy icon Tina Fey took a moment to respond, emphasizing the importance of free speech.
“Obviously, that news is terrible and tragic and upsetting,” the 30 Rock creator and SNL alum said when asked about the deadly attack at a Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, Calif. Fey continued, connecting the tragedy in France with another recent global issue concerning free speech.
“You look at that and you look at the controversy surrounding The Interview, it makes you think about how important free speech is and how it absolutely must be defended,” Fey said. “[We] cannot back down on free speech in any way. We all have to stand firm on the issue of free speech.”
Fey’s show 30 Rock often satirized everything from the media to gender politics to religion, as did her work on Saturday Night Live — but it rarely stirred up controversy at the same level as Charlie Hebdo.
“But we’re Americans,” Fey added, “and even if it’s dumb jokes in The Interview, we have the right to make them.”
In this cover, the newspaper called itself an irresponsible newspaper, and likening itself to a Neanderthal, claiming that the invention of humor is the process of adding fuel to the fire.Charlie Hebdo"The socialist party has chosen its maid." (François Hollande vacuums up Nicolas Sarkozy)Charlie Hebdo"Gay marriage is so last year!"
"Let's go for gay divorce now!"Charlie HebdoMitt Romney seen yelling, "For the White House, an actual white!" during the 2012 election in which he ran against President Barack Obama. To the right, French leaders Francois Fillon and Jean-Francois Copé hold a sign that says "no immigrants can vote."Charlie Hebdo"We don't have prostitutes any more. Thank god, we still have Miss France."Charlie HebdoOsama bin Laden in a late Elvis costume. "Bin Laden is alive!"Charlie Hebdo"Where are our taxes going?"
Missile: "On Syrians' faces."Charlie Hebdo"Zero growth."
Hollande sits in lifeguard chair and says, "We don't move," while everyone in the water drowns.Charlie Hebdo"The postal service is being privatized?"
Rope (presumably for hanging): "I am your new human resources department"Charlie HebdoCharlie Hebdo criticized Europe being ruled by banks. Here Hitler shown saying, "I'm an idiot! I should have worked at the BNP!" (One of the largest banks in France.)Charlie HebdoSunday, May 6, 2012, one minute before the election results - France prepares to flick away Sarkozy.Charlie HebdoFirst official photo of newly elected Hollande, pushing Sarkozy into a meat grinder.Charlie HebdoDepicted: Marine Le Pen, leader of the far right Front National party. "The new model for John Galliano." Galliano, portrayed in background, made anti-Semitic remarks just before Paris Fashion Week in 2011.Charlie HebdoAfter Gerard Depardieu decided to leave France for Belgium to avoid taxes, Charlie Hebdo published a cover asking if Belgium had the capacity to welcome the entire world's cholesterol.Charlie HebdoAfter an armed man entered French newspaper Libration's offices in Paris in 2013, injuring one staff member, Charlie Hebdo published this cover which reads: The press is doing fine. It excites jerks."Charlie Hebdo
