Charlie Hebdo: Je Suis Charlie trends on Twitter showing solidarity for journalists

SOCIAL media has erupted with support for journalists after the Charlie Hebdo massacre with the hashtag ‘Je Suis Charlie’ trending.

Trending hashtag ... Je Suis Charlie, or I Am Charlie, has been used tio show solidarity and support for journalists. Picture: Supplied

SOCIAL media has responded to the massacre at French newspaper Charlie Hebdo by defending press freedom with the hashtag ‘Je Suis Charlie’.

Twitter was overwhelmed with people supporting Charlie Hebdo’s right to operate without censorship, using the hashtag ‘Je Suis Charlie’ or ‘I am Charlie’.

Within the first hour there were 21,000 tweets with the hashtag Je Suis Charlie.

MASSACRE: Multiple fatalities in Charlie Hebdo shooting

MANHUNT: Gunmen on the loose after shooting at French newspaper

.#JeSuisCharlie http://t.co/hZ6n83A0P5

— Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) January 7, 2015

From author Salman Rushdie to the German Foreign Office, Twitter users showed their support for press freedom.

Many said they might not agree with the left-wing newspaper’s views on everything, but they support its right to make them.

You can kill journalists, cartoonists. You can't kill the freedom of the press. You have only made their message stronger. #JeSuisCharlie

— Emily Koch (@EmilyKoch22) January 7, 2015

At least 12 people have been killed after two masked gunmen opened fire on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, before fleeing. They are on the run with a third man who drove the getaway vehicle.

A tragic day for the freedom of speech #jesuischarlie pic.twitter.com/ZkIOXpHeSq

— Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) January 7, 2015

Ten staff died in total, including four of France’s best-known satirical cartoonists and the magazine’s editor, Stephane Charbonnier, known as Charb.

#CharlieHebdo #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/vTkBxbEncU

— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) January 7, 2015

"I may not agree with what you say but will defend your right to say it." - Voltaire #shocked #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/DtA3cdpUhU

— Charles Brun (@_charlesbrun) January 7, 2015

Freedom of expression, it seems, should not be taken for granted. RIP to those who died defending it. #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/MexshKELgv

— Florian Maganza (@Flowmobs) January 7, 2015

It's important not to let fear take over. We must fight for freedom of expression. #JeSuisCharlie

— Nelly (@MamzelleLil) January 7, 2015

'Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations' - Orwell #JeSuisCharlie

— PMR (@PMRRECORDS) January 7, 2015

Freedom of thought and expression in every form above all else. We are inextricably bound to those slain today. #JeSuisCharlie

— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) January 7, 2015

I'm a Muslim journalist. Although I disagree w/ anti-Islam cartoons, my faith compels me to respect the rights of others. #JeSuisCharlie

— Sarah Harvard (@sarah_harvard) January 7, 2015

I apologise for rough translation. "Freedom of expression is spilling ink, not shedding blood." #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/V1SjjmPaC0

— Joan Evatt (@Boeufblogginon) January 7, 2015

Only tyrants and their wannabes can never accept being mocked. #JeSuisCharlie

— Daniel Altman (@altmandaniel) January 7, 2015

If you kill men for making fun of your ideas, you need to rethink your ideas. #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/BscweTbElz

— Joanna Arsova (@Arsova) January 7, 2015

I am a Muslim, and I dislike the way they portraited our prophet. But NO! I never support an action harming a living, so #JeSuisCharlie .

— Hakan Özerdem (@hakanozerdem) January 7, 2015

To journalists everywhere who stand up against threats and bravely report the truth, we owe you our freedom and gratitude. #JeSuisCharlie

— Richard Wilson (@RichardWLabour) January 7, 2015

The pen is mightier than the sword. #JeSuisCharlie

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 7, 2015

Freedom of the press is a fundamental right. Journalists don't deserve to die defending that cause #JeSuisCharlie

— Aubrey Allegretti (@breeallegretti) January 7, 2015