Aust cartoonists shouldn't censor work: PM

Australia's prime minister says Australian media shouldn't censor themselves after the attack on France's Charlie Hebdo magazine.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has urged Australian media not to censor their work following the Paris terror attack.

A man-hunt is under way for two brothers suspected of massacring 12 staff of satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, known for publishing controversial images.

Mr Abbott said Australian media shouldn't engage in self-censorship, which would give "evil fanatics" a victory.

"It's very important ... first of all, that we don't engage in self-censorship as a result of this kind of attack," he told the Nine Network's Today show on Friday.

"Second, and even more important, we should not stop being ourselves because of this kind of attack.

"If we do engage in self-censorship, if we do change the way we live and the way we think, that gives terrorists a victory."

Mr Abbott said Catholicism was often the subject of scorn in Australia media.