📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Amazon CEO: Retailer Won't Remove Anti-semitic Film Linked By Kyrie Irving Andy Jassy said his company will "allow customers to make the decision whether they want to watch it or not."

By Steve Huff

entrepreneur daily
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images

On Wednesday, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the company would not be removing the antisemitic film Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America from its streaming service. Jewish groups such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have prodded Amazon to take down the film because it contains antisemitic tropes and allegations that, throughout history, Jews have conspired to oppress Black people.

The video first received widespread attention near the end of October after Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving shared a link to it on Twitter.

Speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit, Jassy — who is Jewish — said Amazon should allow access to controversial viewpoints. He continued: "As a retailer of content to hundreds of millions of customers with a lot of different viewpoints, we have to allow access to those viewpoints, even if they are objectionable — objectionable and they differ from our particular viewpoints."

Jassy added that Amazon must be consistent with its policies and take care not to censor content. If the media "actively incites or promotes violence," Jassy said, "or teaches people to do things like pedophilia," the decision to take it down is "more straightforward."

Amazon has "very expansive customer reviews," according to Jassy, and where any kind of media receiving considerable public attention are concerned, "customers do a good job of warning other people." According to the Times, Amazon has indicated that it is considering adding a disclaimer to Wake Up, but Jassy also expressed confidence in customer reviews playing a role in how the video is perceived.

Steve Huff

Entrepreneur Staff

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

'Everyone Is in Complete Shock': A 500-Person Tesla Team Found Out 'in the Middle of the Night' Their Charger Division Was Laid Off

Other car companies that use the technology, such as General Motors and Ford, also weren't expecting the news, according to reports.

Business News

There Are Only 6 Major Cities Left in the U.S. With 'Affordable' Homes Matching Median Incomes — Here's the List

Homeownership is not affordable for the typical household in 44 of the 50 largest cities in the U.S.

Side Hustle

He Started a Salty Backyard Side Hustle That Out-Earned His Full-Time Job and Now Makes Over $1 Million a Year: 'Take the Leap'

In 2011, Kyle Needham turned his passion for oysters into a business that saw consistent monthly revenue "right away."

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

James Clear's Atoms App Promises to Help Break Bad Habits and Create Better Ones — Here's How It Works

The app turns Clear's best-selling book, "Atomic Habits," into something actionable.