Amazon is currently under heavy criticism for not removing a film with anti-Semitic allusions from the platform.
A few weeks ago, the controversial NBA star Kyrie Irving made negative headlines again. The basketball player tweeted to his more than 4.7 million followers that included a link to a film on Amazon with anti-Semitic content. As a result, Irving received a penalty and missed several games for his Brooklyn Nets team. Only days later did the 30-year-old make a public statement. “I reject all forms of hate and oppression and stand with the communities that are marginalized every day. I am aware of the negative impact of my post on the Jewish community and I take responsibility,” he wrote on Twitter, without apologizing.
Now, however, Amazon is the focus and has to take a lot of criticism because the film can still be found on the platform. According to statements by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, that will probably not change either. “As a content provider serving hundreds of millions of customers with many different views, we need to provide access to those views, even if they are offensive […] and different from our own views,” Jassy said sea TMZ beim DealBook Summit der New York Times in New York City.
Jassy also stressed that there is a fine line to be drawn when it comes to what type of content should no longer be sold on the platform. He added that cases promoting violence or pedophilia are “more explicit”.
Public appeal of the organization against discrimination
Weeks ago, the Anti-Defamation League, an American organization that campaigns against discrimination and defamation of Jews, publicly contacted Amazon and demanded that the film be removed from the platform. In a letter, the company asked that the “strongly anti-Semitic book and accompanying video” be either removed from the platform’s marketplace or provided with a warning explaining why these works are problematic.
“The book and film are intended to incite hatred and, once circulated publicly by Mr. Irving, will lead directly to the harm of Jews,” the letter reads Washington Post was available in copy.
According to the Associated Press, Amazon said it would consider placing a warning on the documentary’s page. However, this has not yet happened.
Published: December 02, 2022
/ Written by Corinna Flemming
