In the UK, according to the Guardian, Tesco is being accused of censorship because it is asking magazine publishers to submit their publications for approval before they are put on sale.
The Tesco policy seems to mostly be affecting so-called “lads” magazines that feature scantily clad women and suggestive headlines on their covers, though some satirical magazines also reportedly have been affected. Tesco has been requiring that some of these publications change their cover copy if they want to be sold at the store.
Tesco reportedly has sent guidelines to publishers telling them what is appropriate for magazines sold in its stores. The Observer notes that other chains, such as Wal-Mart’s Asda Group, doesn’t censor magazines or attempt to influence editorial content, but simply does not carry certain titles because of concerns about content and tone.
The Tesco policy seems to mostly be affecting so-called “lads” magazines that feature scantily clad women and suggestive headlines on their covers, though some satirical magazines also reportedly have been affected. Tesco has been requiring that some of these publications change their cover copy if they want to be sold at the store.
Tesco reportedly has sent guidelines to publishers telling them what is appropriate for magazines sold in its stores. The Observer notes that other chains, such as Wal-Mart’s Asda Group, doesn’t censor magazines or attempt to influence editorial content, but simply does not carry certain titles because of concerns about content and tone.
- KC's View:
- We firmly believe that any retailer has a right to decide what publications to carry and what not to carry. But trying to influence coverage is a bad idea – bad for consumers, bad for publishers and editors, bad for democracy, and ultimately bad for the retailer because it puts this business into the position of making judgments it is not necessarily qualified to make, and for which it may eventually be judged harshly.
