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Jonathan Friedland Marco Ugarte/AP/Press Association Images

Senior Netflix executive fired for using the N-word

The head of communications announced his departure after being reprimanded for a second time for using the racial slur.

NETFLIX HAS FIRED its chief spokesman Jonathan Friedland, after he used the N-word twice in the space of a few days during meetings with staff.

The head of communications announced his departure after being reprimanded for a second time for using the racial slur.

“I’m leaving Netflix after seven years. Leaders have to be beyond reproach in the example we set and unfortunately I fell short of that standard when I was insensitive in speaking to my team about words that offend in comedy,” he tweeted.

“I feel awful about the distress this lapse caused to people at a company I love and where I want everyone to feel included and appreciated.”

Former journalist Friedland — not to be confused with Jonathan Freedland, a prominent columnist at the London-based Guardian newspaper — had previously served in communications roles for Disney.

Before working in communications he spent 10 years at the Wall Street Journal.

Memo 

Netflix wasn’t immediately available for comment but Variety magazine reproduced in full what it said was a memo from CEO Reed Hastings sent to all staff yesterday.

“Jonathan contributed greatly in many areas, but his descriptive use of the N-word on at least two occasions at work showed unacceptably low racial awareness and sensitivity, and is not in line with our values as a company,” he said.

Hastings said the first incident occurred “several months ago” in a meeting about sensitive words and again a few days later to two black human resources employees as he was discussing the original transgression.

Friedland apologised immediately when objections were raised on the first occasion, but the fact that he did it again “confirmed a deep lack of understanding, and convinced me to let Jonathan go”, Reed said.

The CEO continued with a lengthy history of the N-word’s use and an admission that he should have done more to use the first incident as “a learning moment for everyone at Netflix about how painful and ugly that word is, and that it should not be used”.

“Many of us have worked closely with Jonathan for a long time, and have mixed emotions,” he concluded.

“Unfortunately, his lack of judgment in this area was too big for him to remain.”

© AFP 2018 

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    Mute Toby
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    Jul 28th 2023, 8:06 AM

    Every country France colonised is a mess now, recent coups in Mali, Burkina and Niger. Even France is a mess. Do we want to be in Europe as a bit player in their club?

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    Mute James Carroll
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    Jul 28th 2023, 8:51 AM

    @Toby: Yes.

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    Mute John Lonergan
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    Jul 28th 2023, 8:53 AM

    @Toby: cause the ones other countries colonised are all fine and dandy?

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    Mute Washpenrebel
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    Jul 28th 2023, 10:12 AM

    I would expect no one here realises that France is still has the biggest colonies in Africa. They countries they used to directly control, they now control their finances. Ie these countries reserves are stored in the French central bank. The French keep them poor and the enrich themselves with their resources. When a leader comes in they don’t like, they are removed. France is far from a democracy. In fairness to the British at least they left.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Jul 28th 2023, 11:16 AM

    @Washpenrebel: In fairness the British left? Yes the British left after drawing lines in the sand that led to the deaths of millions between India and Pakistan. The mess they left behind in the Middle East is still going on to this day. The British Empire was just as bad as the French Empire. A legacy of murder and destruction.

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    Mute Washpenrebel
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    Jul 28th 2023, 12:37 PM

    @Donal Desmond: 100% agree with you. But the way the French still control former colonies is horrendous. There is a reason why the French foreign legion are still active all over Africa. Africa is still used as a resource to plunder a pillage from. The Congo being a perfect example with all its rich minerals.

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Jul 28th 2023, 10:31 AM

    Washpenrebel.
    For anyone starting to read his comment just skip down to the last sentence.

    It’s handy when commenters make their agenda so obvious.

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    Mute Pato
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    Jul 28th 2023, 3:04 PM

    The British left did they? How come I still see them when I go to Enniskillen?

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