Headline RoundupOctober 24th, 2021

Perspectives: Dave Chappelle Protests

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Dozens of Netflix employees joined more than a hundred supporters and trans activists in Los Angeles on Wednesday to protest Dave Chappelle's most recent stand-up special. The comedian made a number of controversial jokes about gender issues and the LGBTQ community, which offended many members of the transgender community. Carrying signs that read “Transphobia Isn’t Funny” and “Hey Netflix: Do Better,” the activists and supporters sent a list of demands to Netflix — including the creation of a new fund to recruit more trans and nonbinary talent as well as adding a disclaimer “before transphobic titles that specifically flag transphobic language, misogyny, homophobia, hate speech, etc. as required.” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said he supports the walkout but continues to defended Chappelle's special, citing the company's commitment to artistic freedom as the main reason for keeping the comedy special on the streaming platform.

Coverage was consistent across the spectrum, although right-rated opinions on the protests were more prominent. Some outlets cited different numbers that represented the number of Netflix employees participating in the protest. The Wall Street Journal noted that "the extent of the walkout wasn’t clear" as many employees are working remotely. Coverage from left-rated outlets predominantly featured quotes from members of the LGBTQ community that highlighted why "they felt the special crossed a line." Right-rated voices framed reporting from left-rated news outlets as "inaccurate," criticizing them for overamplifying how "counter-protestors became physical and threatening." The Associated Press was accused by right-rated outlets for falsely claiming that a counter-protester "screamed profanities" at protestors, which was later corrected. The Washington Examiner labeled the "journalistic misconduct" as "the deliberate use of lies to promote an agenda." 

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