Netflix On Media: Words vs. Actions

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has been doubling down on the actions of his company in the aftermath of the Dave Chappelle controversy. As I write this, transgender Netflix employees have already planned a walk-out to protest Netflix profiting off of transphobia. However, that still has not changed Sarandos’s mind, and he continues to defend Netflix’s choice to air Chappelle’s new special.

Here is what Sarandos said on the controversy in an email:

With “The Closer,” we understand that the concern is not about offensive-to-some content but titles which could increase real world harm (such as further marginalizing already marginalized groups, hate, violence etc.) Last year, we heard similar concerns about 365 Days and violence against women. While some employees disagree, we have a strong belief that content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.

Really, content can never translate into real-world harm? Then why did Netflix take down large chunks of its programming last year after the death of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. For that matter, why did Netflix decide to make “Black Lives Matter” an entire genre on their streaming service? Are we supposed to believe that Netflix believes media can do real-world good but not real-world harm?