For the first time in 5 years, Netflix has updated its corporate culture memo. Among the new directives, the Los Gatos firm invites its employees to look elsewhere if they disapprove of certain programs. Vibe.
Netflix resists censorship
The update of these directives by the management of Netflix – the first since 2017 – is not likely to reassure as to the evolution of the atmosphere within the company. A new section called “artistic expression” has appeared there, detailing the service’s desire to offer its subscribers a myriad of programs intended to appeal to several types of audience. According to the memo, Netflix “let viewers decide what is appropriate for them“, instead of “censor particular artists or voices“, even if some programs “can be provocative“.
A thinly veiled allusion to the controversies that have surrounded certain controversial jokes aimed at transgender people by comedian Dave Chappelle, which Netflix has kept in the catalog against all odds – especially internally, precisely. This desire not to intervene “even if we find certain titles contrary to our personal values” is now inscribed in stone, and everyone will have to comply.
Skeptics urged to leave
Indeed, the rest of this text directly concerns employees who may feel a certain embarrassment at the idea of participating in the development or promotion of this sometimes problematic content. “Depending on your role, you may need to work on titles that you perceive as harmful. If you’re struggling to sustain the breadth of our content, Netflix may not be the best place for you.“, can we read. Difficult to make clearer.
Asked by the wall street journal, a spokesperson for Netflix explained that the Los Gatos firm had spent the last 18 months discussing internally with its employees to develop this update to the charter, and had received more than 1,000 comments to complete this task. According to him, the new principles have been put in place ““so that potential future employees can understand our position, and make the best decision whether Netflix is the right company for them.“
Elon as backup
Netflix therefore takes the opposite view of some of its competitors, once again. At Disney, a revolt of the employees had pushed the leaders to take up the cause against a law passed at the end of March by the Florida conservatives aimed at preventing the teaching in schools of notions relating to orientation and gender. At first, Uncle Walt’s house had refused to take part in the debate.
The Los Gatos firm has in any case found unexpected support in the person of Elon Musk, who welcomed the new directives in a pithy tweet. Last month, he had already castigated the editorial line of Netflix on the same network, arguing that “the woke mind virus“had returned the platform”unwatchable“. Not necessarily the reinforcement that is most wanted at the moment …
Good move by @netflix
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 15, 2022