News Censorship Dateline
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NEWS CENSORSHIP DATELINE MUSEUMS immigration, climate change, public PUBLISHERS Santa Fe, New Mexico health, and economic disparities. This New York, New York During a 2019 environmentally very exhibition would never have On March 6, 2020, a day after focused exhibition at the New Mex- taken flight. Hachette Book Group’s (HBG) ico Museum of Art (MOA), a poetry Evidently, the apprehension was employees protested the publisher’s zine, which focused on the impact not because the work reflected a par- deal with filmmaker Woody Allen, of fracking, was removed upon the ticular political position, but rather, the plans to publish his autobiogra- recommendation of the New Mex- it was the nature of that position. As phy were cancelled. All rights were ico Department of Cultural Affairs the NCAC report stated, “The zine returned to Allen. (DCA) because it contained politi- is a condemnation of the devastating “The decision to cancel Mr. Allen’s cal commentary. The Arts Advocacy impact of the fossil fuel industry, and book was a difficult one,” a spokes- Program at the National Coalition specifically fracking, on communities, person for the publisher said in a state- Against Censorship (NCAC) urged ecological systems, and the climate ment. “We take our relationships with the MAO to take the incident as an within New Mexico. In a state highly authors very seriously, and do not can- opportunity to better develop artistic dependent on the fossil fuel industry, cel books lightly. We have published freedom upholding policies. this is a controversial position. But and will continue to publish many The zine, titled The Social & Sub- a publicly funded institution cannot challenging books. As publishers, we lime: Land, Place, and Art, focused on discriminate against specific political make sure every day in our work that “issues of land use, expansion and positions, no matter how unpopular: different voices and conflicting points border conflicts, and industrializa- such discrimination would violate the of views can be heard.” tion and the conservation of natu- First Amendment.” The spokesperson added, however, ral resources.” While these are cer- Though the zine was later included that after discussing the matter with tainly political issues as stated in as a resource in the museum, that their employees, Hachette executives the exhibition description, they are does not change that the removal said that they “came to the conclusion explored through lenses “ranging took place, and “does not provide that moving forward with publication from the purely formal to the politi- any clarity as to [the] MOA’s exhibi- would not be feasible for HBG.” cally engaged.” As the NCAC stated, tion policy.” Therefore, the NCAC Letty Aronson, Allen’s sister and “A zine dedicated to poetry about the urged the MOA, in collaboration with producer, declined to comment. impact of fracking on the local com- the DCA, “to adopt a formal policy Hachette announced the book munity neatly fits within the parame- affirming artistic freedom, includ- deal on March 2, 2020, stating that ters of the show. Indeed, many other ing the right of artists to voice polit- its Grand Central Publishing imprint works in the show also took political ical opinions without fear of being would release Allen’s autobiography positions, as art often does.” silenced. The museum should also Apropos of Nothing on April 7, 2020. It The DCA maintained that distrib- make it clear that exhibiting political described the book as “a comprehen- uting the zine “would be considered artwork does not mean that the insti- sive account of his life, both personal using state property to support [a] tution itself endorses specific political and professional,” and said it would political cause.” The DCA mistak- positions. This is the only way [the] include Allen’s writing on “his rela- enly referred to a governmental con- MOA can remain a site of encoun- tionships with family, friends, and the duct act prohibiting “a public officer ter with new and radical ideas, a site loves of his life.” or employee from . using property where social and political dialogue In an early March 2020 email belonging to a state agency or allow- happens, not become a place of pure exchange, journalist Ronan Farrow, ing its use for other than authorized entertainment governed by political whose book Catch and Kill was pub- purposes.” Contrary to what DCA censorship.” lished by another Hachette imprint, asserts, exhibiting art with a political The NCAC offered to assist the criticized HBG, calling its decision position does not constitute support of MOA with the development of a new to publish Allen’s book a betrayal. that position by the museum. Other- policy. “Your policy of editorial independence wise, no cultural institutions open to Reported by: National Coalition among your imprints does not relieve the public could provide space for any Against Censorship, March 17, 2020. you of your moral and professional work that explores relevant political obligations as the publisher of Catch topics, including discussions of war, and Kill, and as the leader of a company JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM AND PRIVACY _ SPRING/SUMMER 2020 43 CENSORSHIP DATELINE _ NEWS being asked to assist in efforts by abu- The French arm of Hachette, Édi- guide for children ages eight to ten as sive men to whitewash their crimes,” tions Stock, said it planned to proceed well as their parents and caregivers. It wrote Farrow in an email to HBG with publishing Allen’s book. The explores changing bodies, gender, and Chief Executive Michael Pietsch. imprint’s director, Manuel Carcas- sexuality. Farrow, who helped propel the sonne, expressed his support for the “There are illustrations, for #MeToo movement by reporting on project in an interview with the mag- instance of a penis and a vagina, accusations of sexual assault against azine Le Point published on March 7. which are anatomically correct . Harvey Weinstein and other pow- “The American situation is not but there are also discussions about erful men, is Allen’s son with actress ours,” Carcassonne said. “Woody negative, private touching, which is Mia Farrow. Ronan Farrow and his Allen is a great artist, director and a very important lesson these kids adopted sister, Dylan Farrow, have writer, and his New York Jewish should learn,” Gazda said. long accused Allen of molesting her humor is evident in each line of this Sex is a Funny Word is the third when she was a child, allegations memoir, in its self-mockery, its mod- title this academic year to raise the he has denied. Two investigations esty, its ability to dress up tragedy as ire of parents, he added. The first was ensued; Allen was not charged. comedy. Including at his expense. It’s A Court of Wings and Ruin, the third In an interview on March 3, 2020, unfortunate that this decision was in a fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas; Pietsch defended the decision to pub- made—unfortunate for freedom of the second title was the graphic novel lish Allen’s book, saying that the com- expression but perfectly understand- Sacred Heart by Liz Suburbia, which pany’s imprints do not engage in edi- able in the American context.” came in with a large batch of donated torial interference with each other. Note: Apropos of Nothing was books to the library. “Grand Central Publishing believes released by Arcade Publishing on “The librarian can’t read every strongly that there’s a large audience March 23, 2020. single book in the library,” Gazda that wants to hear the story of Woody Reported in: New York Times, March said. “They rely on reviews and Allen’s life as told by Woody Allen 6, 2020, updated March 9, 2020. recommendations.” himself,” he said. “That’s what they’ve When the first two books were chosen to publish.” SCHOOLS flagged by parents, the school prin- On March 5, 2020, Hachette Ludlow, Massachusetts cipal and librarian readily agreed employees staged a walkout to pro- Sex may be a funny word according they didn’t belong in a middle school test their company’s plans, resulting to award-winning children’s author library. That, Gazda said, is the first in HBG having “a fuller discussion” and sex educator Cory Silverberg, step in an established process the with its staff members. but some parents of students at Baird school district has in place to vet Following the announcement of Middle School in Ludlow, Massachu- the appropriateness of library books: the book’s cancellation on March 6, setts, were not amused. first, contact the school principal and Suzanne Nossel, the chief executive of Silverberg’s Sex is a Funny Word librarian; second, if those two don’t the free-speech nonprofit PEN Amer- (2015) has won awards in the US and feel comfortable making unilateral ica, called the situation “something of Canada and received starred reviews decisions to remove the book, par- a perfect storm.” from Publishers Weekly and the School ents are asked to fill out a short form This incident, she said in a state- Library Journal, as well as praise from and submit it to a subcommittee com- ment, “involved not just a contro- Kirkus Reviews. It also landed on the prised of two Ludlow School Com- versial book, but a publisher that was American Library Association’s Top mittee members, two teachers, and a working with individuals on both 10 Most Challenged Books lists for librarian. sides of a longstanding and trau- 2017 and 2019—and now, according “Everyone reads the book and matic familial rupture. This presented to Superintendent Todd H. Gazda, is they decide whether the book should unique circumstances that clearly at the center of an ongoing contro- stay on the shelves,” said longtime colored the positions staked out and versy in the Ludlow Public School Ludlow School Committee mem- decisions taken.