Netflix Communications Chief Fired Over Use of Racial Slur

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Netflix's communications chief has been sacked over use of a racist slur Getty Images

Netflix's Chief Communications Officer Jonathan Friedland has been fired over his use of a racial slur, according to an internal company memo.

In an internal letter to staff acquired by the Hollywood Reporter, Chief Executive Reed Hastings said that Friedland has been sacked over his use of the N-word, and apologized for not acting sooner.

"His descriptive use of the N-word on at least two occasions at work showed unacceptably low racial awareness and sensitivity," the note to all staff read.

He said Friedland had used the word on two public occasions, firstly when discussing sensitive words with the company's communications team.

"Several people afterward told him how inappropriate and hurtful his use of the N-word was, and Jonathan apologised to those that had been in the meeting," Hastings wrote.

"We hoped this was an awful anomaly never to be repeated."

However, days later he used the slur again in a meeting with black colleagues, according to the memo.

Friedland has spent more than seven years with Netflix and was previously with Walt Disney Co. Hastings praised his contribution to the growth of the company.

"Jonathan has been a great contributor and he built a diverse global team creating awareness for Netflix, strengthening our reputation around the world, and helping make us into the successful company we are today.

"Many of us have worked closely with Jonathan for a long time, and have mixed emotions. Unfortunately, his lack of judgment in this area was too big for him to remain."

Friedland was not immediately available for comment. He tweeted on Friday that he had spoken in an "insensitive" manner.

"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," Friedland wrote.

His departure from Netflix is the latest in a series of top executives resigning over inappropriate behavior.

Ford Motor Co former U.S. chief Raj Nair departed abruptly in February after a probe on his behavior, and Intel Corp former Chief Executive Brian Krzanich resigned on Thursday over a relationship with an employee.

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