Netflix has revised its cultural guidelines and has added an ‘artistic expression’ section that tells its employees to quit if they do not like the content on its platform. This is the first time that the streaming platform has updated the guidelines in the last seven years. Netflix wants employees to be open to working on content that they don’t agree with.
As per the new guidelines, “Depending on your role, you may need to work on titles you perceive to be harmful. If you’d find it hard to support our content breadth, Netflix may not be the best place for you.” The guidelines added that the company supports artistic expression of the creators, “While every title is different, we approach them based on the same set of principles: we support the artistic expression of the creators we choose to work with; we program for a diversity of audiences and tastes; and we let viewers decide what’s appropriate for them, versus having Netflix censor specific artists or voices.”
Netflix had earlier given a chance to their employees to offer feedback on the new culture guidelines that was issued. A company spokesperson confirmed that they had received more than 1000 replies which helped shape their latest culture memo.
Netflix have often been on the receiving end of sharp criticism on streaming ‘controversial’ content on cultural and political issues. Last year the OTT platform had supported comedian Dave Chappelle following his stand-up special “The Closer” on the streaming platform, which sparked criticism for remarks about transgender people that some found offensive
After this change in the guidelines, billionaire and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk responded to the news by saying “Good move by Netflix.”
For the unversed, Netflix is working on a couple of new features for its platform. These features include cheap ad-supported subscription plans, paid password sharing feature and live streaming.