Catch and Kill

Little, Brown and Company

Industry	Publishing

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators is a 2019 publication authored by American investigative journalist Ronan Farrow. The book chronicles the challenges he faced while probing into Harvey Weinstein's long-standing allegations involving rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse, alongside the concerted attempts to block these revelations. Farrow exposes how Weinstein hired Black Cube, an Israeli private intelligence agency, to exert pressure on executives at NBC News to suppress the story, which led Farrow to publish his findings in The New Yorker. This investigative report was instrumental in sparking the global Me Too movement, which brought attention to pervasive sexual misconduct across various sectors.

The book’s name derives from the catch and kill strategy employed by media organizations, wherein stories are acquired with the intent of suppression. Released by Little, Brown and Company, the text underwent thorough fact verification by Sean Lavery of The New Yorker.

The catch and kill technique in media

Catch and kill refers to a discreet method predominantly utilized by tabloid outlets to prevent sensitive or damaging information from becoming public. This approach involves securing exclusive rights to a story through legally binding non-disclosure agreements but then intentionally withholding publication to shield a third party. Frequently, the source providing the information remains unaware that their story will be suppressed rather than released. This tactic contrasts with hush money payments, where individuals are financially compensated to keep damaging details secret. The National Enquirer along with its parent company American Media Inc. (AMI) are well-known practitioners of this strategy.

Ronan Farrow’s journalistic career

Ronan Farrow transitioned into journalism during the mid-2010s after experience working with the United States Department of State. He hosted Ronan Farrow Daily on MSNBC before moving on to produce investigative segments such as "Undercover with Ronan Farrow" for NBC's Today show.

Allegations involving Bill Cosby and Woody Allen

In May 2016, Farrow contributed a guest article to The Hollywood Reporter where he contrasted the insufficient journalistic investigation into rape accusations against Bill Cosby with sexual abuse allegations made against Woody Allen—his father—by his sister Dylan Farrow. He highlighted how prominent media outlets and reporters overlooked decades of claims against Cosby. Additionally, Farrow detailed how Allen’s publicist, Leslee Dart—who serves as co-CEO of a public relations firm—engineered a campaign aimed at discrediting Dylan’s accusations while defending Allen. He recounted receiving communications from news organizations that circulated Dart’s prepared statements intended to undermine accusers by labeling them as unstable or motivated by revenge. Farrow underscored that media environments often discourage survivors from speaking out due to pressures not to challenge influential figures and fears of retaliation from fans and public relations operatives.

Allegations against Harvey Weinstein and the Emergence of #MeToo

In October 2017, Ronan Farrow's investigative piece exposing sexual misconduct claims against film producer Harvey Weinstein was published by The New Yorker, following a similar report by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey in The New York Times. NBC had earlier opted not to broadcast Farrow's initial findings. Both Farrow and the journalists from the New York Times were awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, and Farrow was also recognized in Time's 2018 list of 100 Most Influential People.

The accusations targeting Weinstein, a dominant figure in Hollywood, sparked the worldwide #MeToo movement, which confronts pervasive sexual harassment and assault, particularly within workplaces. This initiative quickly gained traction through social media hashtags starting in October 2017, shedding light on entrenched issues of misogyny and inappropriate conduct at work. The #MeToo movement, catalyzed by Weinstein’s exposure, became instrumental in transforming corporate regulations and elevating public consciousness regarding sexual harassment.

Allegations involving Eric Schneiderman and Leslie Moonves

In May 2018, The New Yorker disclosed that New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman had physically abused at least four women during his time in office and battled issues with alcohol and prescription drugs. Schneiderman resigned the following day, denying the accusations but acknowledging their effect on his leadership capacity. The article included photographic evidence and testimonies from close associates of the alleged victims.

By July 2018, Farrow reported on six women accusing CBS CEO Leslie Moonves of harassment and intimidation, with numerous additional accounts of abuse within CBS emerging. Moonves stepped down as CBS Chairman in September 2018 amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations and was reported to have destroyed evidence connected to these claims.

Subsequent developments

On August 23, 2018, The New Yorker revealed that senior aides in the Trump White House circulated a conspiracy document titled "The Echo Chamber" aimed at officials from the Obama administration.

On September 14, 2018, Farrow alongside Jane Mayer brought to light a sexual assault allegation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh made by professor Christine Blasey Ford, who later testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee prior to Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

In early 2019, Farrow disclosed that he and another reporter were subjected to extortion attempts by American Media, Inc. (AMI).

In 2020, Ben Smith of The New York Times noted that some individuals denied statements attributed to them in Farrow’s book concerning Matt Lauer’s misconduct—though Lauer admitted to inappropriate behavior, apologized publicly, and left NBC. The book also details allegations by Brooke Nevils describing further unwanted intimate advances by Lauer.

Critical Reception

The publication garnered largely favorable critiques. Prominent media outlets including The New York Times, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and NPR commended its investigative depth. Erin Keane of Salon characterized Catch and Kill as a "cinematic page turner" with compelling narrative power. In contrast, Stephen Galloway from The Hollywood Reporter praised it as an "epic journalistic achievement" but offered reservations about its prose style.

Media Adaptations

Catch and Kill was transformed into a nine-episode podcast produced by Ronan Farrow together with Pineapple Street Media, featuring interviews conducted during the book's research. Subsequently, HBO Documentary Films adapted the podcast into a six-part documentary miniseries titled Catch and Kill: The Podcast Tapes, which premiered in July 2021.