Oxford University Press ridiculed over religion-motivated children’s book pork ban
Oxford University Press has opened itself up to ridicule after issuing an edict banning any references to pork products in its line of children’s books on the ground that it may be offensive to Jews and Muslims.
The educational publisher has prohibited authors from broaching ‘Pigs plus sausages, or anything else which could be perceived as pork’ in their work amidst cultural sensitivities but the move has been branded ‘absolute utter nonsense’ by labour MP Khalid Mahmood.
The heavy handed approach was revealed by BBC radio 4 presenter Jim Naughtie, whose wife is in talks to have an educational book series published. He said: “Now, if a respectable publisher, tied to an academic institution, is saying you've got to write a book in which you cannot mention pigs because some people might be offended, it’s just ludicrous. It is just a joke.”
A spokesperson for Oxford University Press defended the guidance however, stating: “Many of the educational materials we publish in the UK are sold in more than 150 countries, and as such they need to consider a range of cultural differences and sensitivities.
“Our editorial guidelines are intended to help ensure that the resources that we produce can be disseminated to the widest possible audience.”