Kristenn Einarsson, Chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee said: We commend Penguin Random House for their commitment to the freedom to publish and the example they are setting in standing up for freedom of expression and the freedom to read. The freedom to publish is challenged more fiercely than ever in the USA. It is important that the large publishers take a strong stance to defend it. These actions are an inspiration to others.
Reacting to the dismissal, a spokesperson for Penguin Random House was reported by Publishers Weekly as saying “We applaud the judge’s decision, which recognizes and dismisses such an ‘improper and impermissible’ complaint.” Having earlier called Trump’s action “a meritless lawsuit.” When the suit was filed thay said, “Penguin Random House stands by the book and its authors and will continue to uphold the values of the First Amendment that are fundamental to our role as a book publisher.” The book was written by Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner, two New York Times reporters. The New York Times was also being sued.
Publishers Weekly also carried quotes from the CEOs of Simon and Schuster and Macmillan.
Simoon and Schuster CEO, Jonathan Karp was quoted as saying, “This isn’t a zero-sum game. Threats to a competitor’s First Amendment right to speech is a threat to our own. We stand in solidarity with any publisher that’s facing these challenges.”
Macmillan CEO Jon Yaged was quoted. “We need to fight to make sure that we can continue to publish books that create a discourse and represent multiple points of view, especially when a book is being banned or authors feel pressured to self-censor. The discourse is what’s valuable, and we have to make sure that it endures.”
During Trump’s first mandate, IPA supported both Macmillan and Simon and Schuster following unsuccesful attempts by the President to to halt the respective publication of Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury”, and Omarosa Manigault Newman’s “Unhinged: An Insider Look at the Trump White House”.