It is taken out of context, but as this is the only context supplied then it seems quite reasonable.
Even if it's a request it is:
- inappropriate, it's a company trying to influence "independent" reporting/discussion about it
- pressuring, what guarantees that Amazon will not subtle penalize the author/book/publisher or other related parts by e.g. slight downvoting and hindering discovery on the Amazon store or other illegal but hard to prove actions
And when you do, they send their staff of high powered attorneys to shop for an amenable forum and file the SLAPP lawsuit that your org can't possibly afford to defend in a court you've never heard about with a nicely penned note of "Well, we tried to place nice! Now it's going to cost you." They then constructively work behind the scenes to freeze your org out of every future press event and make sure other companies they work with do the same - can't have any reporters not on a leash at these things, after all.
So you settle with changing the language and chilling your speech. America, land of the free.
Do you have an example of Amazon doing this?
Not exactly the same thing, but going after your VP of Marketing is pretty similar, if they do this to their best employees, what they won't do to a smaller 3rd party that they feel it's on their way to profit.
Amazon sues former AWS marketing VP Brian Hall after he takes Google Cloud job https://www.geekwire.com/2020/amazon-sues-former-aws-marketi...
Amazon is a vast company with a PR department that is responsible for making sure that the image of the company accords with the aims of its management.
If that's the definition of 'control the narrative about itself', then yes, it is reasonable for a company to want to do that.
The insinuation that some ill-defined-but-terrifying future retribution against the publisher (Vice, a substantial owner of which is the Walt Disney Company; so not exactly a tiny defenseless organization) will occur as the result of ignoring a suggested correction from a PR flack is a bit ridiculous.
You're right. It's ridiculous to insinuate such things. Almost as ridiculous as ebay executives harassing a small mom and pop news website with bloody pigs masks, roaches, and other psychological torture.