Netflix: Takedown Troubles

In October 2021, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos sent an all-staff email addressing backlash to comedian Dave Chappelle’s new stand-up special, The Closer. Released on October 5, the comedian’s depiction of the transgender community and other LGBTQ+ groups prompted backlash, with some critics calling for its removal from the streaming platform. Sarandos wrote: “Chappelle is one of the most popular stand-up comedians today, and we have a long standing deal with him. [. . .] As with our other talent, we work hard to support their creative freedom—even though this means there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmful.” While acknowledging concerns from Netflix employees, Sarandos pushed back on the idea that the language or jokes used in The Closer could lead to real-world harm. Advocacy groups such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), however, argued that stereotypes and misinformation increased the risk of violence or harassment that transgender and nonbinary communities faced. Customers vowed to boycott Netflix and employees walked out. Moreover, critics of the decision to stand by The Closer contended that Netflix did not always take such a strong stance on defending artistic freedom, censoring or removing content based on local norms or laws. In 2019, for example, the company removed an episode of The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj in Saudi Arabia after Saudi regulators outlawed material “impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy,” and ordered Netflix to take down footage of Minhaj critiquing Saudi Arabia’s crown prince.

As Netflix’s global reach, content library, and cultural impact grew, it likely faced more frequent protests against what it chose to air and what it chose to censor. How should the company’s leadership handle the fallout from its latest controversy, and how should it handle content removal debates in the future?