Sensitivity readers: what publishing’s most polarising role is really about

Some believe that the changes made to Dahl’s stories for children amounted to censorship, while others see them as a welcome update. Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images

Shunned by some authors, championed by others: those who work in the book publishing industry as “sensitivity readers” have become the subject of hot debate in recent years.

Sensitivity readers can be hired by publishers, usually on a case-by-case basis, to read a book – generally before it is published – and make editorial suggestions regarding content that could be considered offensive, inaccurate or stereotypical.