It is easy to discuss the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo as an attack on freedom of expression. But are we supposed to be surprised that a global terror organization known for its brutal disregard for human rights and humane values would attack a media outlet that has specialized in provoking it?
Just as much of the social media in the Arab/Muslim world has routinized anti-Semitic rants, there is a global industry of outlets dedicated to all things anti-Muslim. In any given week, French, European (and increasingly Indian) journalists, bloggers, tweeters and others regularly express all sorts of things that are offensive or provocative to Muslims or at least the most devout and fanatical among them.
There are literally hundreds of websites, radio programs and TV networks that specialize in anti-Muslim and anti-Islam propaganda.