Kahui book ban would be 'attack on democracy' - Booksellers

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Kahui book ban would be 'attack on democracy' - Booksellers

3News NZ

Ian Wishart says his book will be sold independently

Ian Wishart says his book will be sold independently

By Tony Reid

Paper Plus and the Warehouse have taken the highly unusual move of banning the soon to be released book regarding the death of the Kahui Twins.

Breaking the Silence: The Kahui Case by Ian Wishart goes on sale next month, but finding a book shop willing to sell it may prove difficult.

Mr Wishart's book is ready for printing, but his planned 20,000 copy run may have to be reduced as booksellers cancel their orders.

“I’m saddened for the freedom of expression in New Zealand,” says Mr Wishart.

“Every New Zealander has the right to go into a bookstore without being harassed by protesters and buy a book of their choice”.

Paper Plus was the first to act, saying it is "not stocking Ian Wishart's new book which is causing a huge public outcry due to the highly emotive nature of its content".

A statement released by the retail chain earlier today says, "Over the past 24 hours we have had a significant volume of feedback from our customers, both online via our Paper Plus Facebook page, as well as through individual communication to our stores and support office".

Paper Plus declined to be interviewed by 3 News.

The Warehouse, which has also banned the book, told 3 News earlier today that their decision not to sell the book was based on feedback from the community.

Booksellers New Zealand, which represents Paper Plus and many others, says such a move is rare, and dangerous.

“It would be an attack on democracy if we started banning books that some people didn’t like,” said Booksellers. “It’s a matter of personal choice and it’s something we cherish in our democracy”.

Mr Wishart has received hate-mail for associating himself with Macsyna King, who he says will not earn a cent for telling her story.

He is downplaying the effect the ban will have on sales.

“It won't impact on us greatly. We started off as a direct publishing company; we’ve always been that. We'll just channel what were to be major bookstore sales through our website”.

3 News

 

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Comments

2/07/2011 12:23:15 a.m.

Thomas wrote:

If people really want to get their hands on the book they will still do it whether online or otherwise, & just because they have a desire to read the book through curiosity or otherwise, it dosn't necessarily mean that they have to believe what they have read.

1/07/2011 6:28:18 p.m.

Val wrote:

I commend the book stores for taking a stand. Those involved are cowards and no one has stood up for those innocent children. If people want to buy let them do it on line. No one should profit from these children's deaths. As the truth has not come out in the courts why would anyone believe anything printed.

1/07/2011 12:16:21 p.m.

Henry wrote:

Interesting how many scathing commenters (e.g., Craig) purport to know the content of the book before it is even released.

1/07/2011 11:43:58 a.m.

Thomas wrote:

It dosn't appear at this stage that Whitcoulls is going to follow the others in banning this book, maybe it's because Whitcoulls apparently stole the Paper Plus highly skilled book buyer for themselves, so go & work that one out.

1/07/2011 11:15:53 a.m.

Craig wrote:

Again, I would not object to future coverage of the subject matter, but Ian Wishart is a tabloid hack, not a proper investigative journalist. It would need to be done by a reputable professional journalist with some experience of medical, clinical and forensic analysis. Wishart manifestly lacks such skills.

This book is naked tabloid profiteering from personal tragedy. No wonder there is justifiable public revulsion against it.

30/06/2011 6:43:26 p.m.

Dodger wrote:

Paperplus and warehouse is just making a business decision by not stocking books that will not sell. Ian Wishart should be thankfull that he is receiving some indication of how well the book will sell, and perhaps cut his losses. Had it been the opposite with the public eagerly awaiting the book, I am sure the retailers will be begging for more. In the end, nobody is banning Wishart from printing the books. He just have to promote them, instead of crying foul about attack on democracy.

30/06/2011 11:14:02 a.m.

Fred wrote:

Wishart routinely writes books with ridiculous content in them. Depsite this, I support his right to say, publish or disseminate whatever he chooses. This whole "profiting from tragedy" emotional appeal stuff is really petty and stupid. All books cost money to make - if we want them we buy them (unless spineless bookstores capitulate a loud group).

30/06/2011 11:12:01 a.m.

Shane Thompson wrote:

I am ashamed, angry and mystified, all at the same time. I am ashamed that as a Nation we lead the World in killing our own children, angry that still no effective legislation has been brought about to prevent this gross injustice ever happening again, and mystified as to what motivates people to march for the right to dress as sluts, comments about periods, or Boobs on Bikes; yet not a single march proposed for the blood of these 2 children who had no defence, no voice, and still no justice.
This woman and her family had their chance to speak up in court and chose not to do so, she does not deserve the right to have a voice now and Wishart clearly has no conscience himself by association and his reminstrating about democracy and so on is self serving, totally void of any social conscience, and which I would liken in terms of worth, to all the garbage uttered by Mr Crow, NZ self appointed "Porn KIng" both of them are bottom feeders and offer no value or purpose in our society.

30/06/2011 12:19:27 a.m.

Thomas wrote:

Ian Wishart says that after reading his book,it would be very easy for one to conclude exactly who the killer was, so isn't that really want we all want to know. The hopeless actions of the police during the investigation led to nothing, especially after they buckled to pressure from a one Peter Sharples who asked for time for the family to grieve, which of course gave the family more time get their heads to together & then continue to all stay silent.

30/06/2011 12:06:14 a.m.

Chrissy wrote:

Freedom, Macsyna King has the freedom to write her book just as we all have the freedom to read it. It seems book sellers do not want others to read what they deem unacceptable.
Since when are retailers "the book police" deciding who shall read what? I will express my freedom in no longer patronising their stores.
Whatever happened to INNOCENT until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt?
Looks like the retailers have made other arrangements for us all in regard to censorship as well.