Image Source: Somag News
According to the New York Post, Netflix delivered a corporate message to potentially disgruntled employees on Thursday, putting a line in the sand over controversial content like Dave Chappelle’s stand-up special The Closer, which was widely regarded as transphobic.
The corporation acknowledged that the information they accept may offend some employees due to their religious beliefs, lifestyles, or beliefs. They have no plans to suppress “creative expression,” and any employee who disagrees with them is free to go and watch Netflix.
According to Daily Wire, the Netflix memo “Netflix Culture — Seeking Excellence” has been revised to include a new section called “Artistic Expression,” which indicates that the company would not “suppress specific artists or voices,” even if employees find the content “harmful.”
According to the email, employees who stayed with the company would be forced to work on initiatives they disagreed with or “considered to be detrimental.”
While Netflix maintains that it will not filter content on its site, it does so in countries including the Philippines, Russia, Turkey, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The memo could be a direct response to a walkout by trans employees and others at Netflix in October 2021 in protest of Dave Chappelle’s controversial special, Closer, which drew widespread condemnation for transphobic comments and gags. While Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos refused to remove the special, citing creative freedom as explanation, he later admitted to regretting his attitude toward employees in the wake of the uproar. Despite what is best for the company, Sorentos looks to be sticking to his guns.
This is in stark contrast to Disney’s response to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ statute. Initially, CEO Bob Chapek refused to comment, but later sent a message highlighting the company’s creative output as the genuine contribution, which was universally panned. Employee outrage across Disney’s many platforms caused the business to rethink its stance and finally speak out against the policy. Some Disney officials want Bob Chapek fired because of his poor handling of the situation, but it does show that Disney is willing to listen to its employees in order to create a healthy working environment, whereas Netflix looks to be sticking to a self-imposed rule. While Netflix has been the most popular streaming service for years, with its dwindling user base, it may no longer be the uncontested king, and memos like this will just add to the company’s already tarnished reputation.
