Ending harsh literary censorship

Today, it’s easy to take for granted our ability to read any book we choose, but it wasn’t always this way. Until the 1970s, Australia was governed by some of the most severe censorship regulations in the Western world. The publication of Phillip Roth's book Portnoy's Complaint in 1969 proved to be the tipping point for fundamental change to censorship in Australia. From secret print runs, illegal sales and bootleg copies to colourful court scenes including testimony from Australian literary icons like Patrick White, this story will make you think twice about the freedoms we now have to read whatever we choose. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.