You Can’t Read This Book

Résumé du livre

Nick Cohen is a British journalist, author and renowned liberal commentator who writes for The Observer. He has written five books, including What’s Left?

In 1988, Salman Rushdie’s *The Satanic Verses* sparked unprecedented global outrage, culminating in a fatwa by Ayatollah Khomeini that called for his execution. Unlike Rushdie’s earlier works, this novel’s depiction of Muhammad being deceived by the devil, combined with Khomeini’s growing influence, led to violent protests, censorship, and a chilling effect on free expression. The internet, initially seen as a tool for democratizing speech, has instead become a battleground where authoritarian regimes exploit vulnerabilities to suppress dissent. Religious and political leaders worldwide manipulate outrage to consolidate power, silencing critics through fear, violence, and legal systems skewed in favor of the wealthy. This culture of intimidation extends to workplaces, where whistleblowers face systemic barriers, often resorting to silence to protect their livelihoods. From Rushdie’s ordeal to the financial crisis of 2008, these patterns reveal how fear and self-censorship undermine freedom of speech and accountability on a global scale.

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