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Two Australian online book retailers have suspended sales of Ronan Farrow’s investigation into #MeToo, following legal threats from one of the book’s subjects.
Amazon in Australia and Booktopia removed copies of Catch and Kill from their sites on Wednesday, according to the New York Times. The article also reports how after lawyers for former National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard sent warnings the book contained defamatory content to Australian booksellers last month.
Booktopia c.e.o. Tony Nash said he would not return the book to the platform “unless there is clear direction that there will be no legal action”. Booktopia did not respond to requests from The Bookseller for further comment, while Amazon declined to comment.
Farrow criticised the booksellers’ decisions,
Some Australian outlets—Booktopia, Amazon Aus—caved and banned it due to frivolous legal threats free speech group @PENamerica called a “reprehensible attempt at censorship“ from AMI’s Dylan Howard. Thanks to all complaining and defending the free press. https://t.co/aiNDTOx3V5 https://t.co/DQlPteCzYp
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) October 15, 2019
The book was published this month by Fleet in the UK, in tandem with its US counterpart. Little, Brown confirmed to The Bookseller earlier they had received threats from Howard’s legal team earlier this month.
A spokeswoman for Little, Brown said today: “Catch and Kill was published as planned on 15th October and remains available for sale. Bookshops across Australia are continuing to sell the book.”
Paul Tweed, of Tweed Law, told The Bookseller: “We have advised Mr Howard to make no further comment regarding the book at this stage, while his legal remedies in all appropriate jurisdictions are being considered.”