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Netflix keeps Russell Brand special online but stops promoting it after his sentencing

Netflix will not remove Russell Brand's 2018 stand-up special after he was jailed for rape and sexual assault, but it will no longer recommend it to viewers. A women's equality charity head called the decision surprising.

4 outlets · 1L · 2C · 1R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Evening Standard, The Independent.

Image: Daily Express
Image: Deadline
Image: The Independent

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The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Netflix has said it has no plans to remove Russell Brand's 2018 stand-up special, Russell Brand: Re:Birth, from its platform after he was sentenced to prison for rape and sexual assault. Centre · 1The show was filmed in front of a live audience at the Hackney Empire in East London, and Deadline reports the decision followed internal discussions at the streamer. Mixed · 2Netflix will no longer actively promote the special: the Telegraph, cited by the Daily Express, says it will not be suggested to viewers, and Deadline says it is absent from recommendations and from searches for Brand's name, though it can be found by searching "British stand-up comedy".

Mixed · 2A Netflix source said: "We prioritise choice and control for our members: the freedom to watch what, how and when you want, with recommendations and ratings to inform those choices." Mixed · 2Brand, 51, was found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a four-week trial and was sentenced in London on Monday to 10 years and six months in prison. Mixed · 2Mr Justice Bennathan called Brand a "sexual predator", said his status protected him until 2023, when a Channel 4 documentary and Times articles published the allegations, and praised the "determination and bravery" of the women who complained.

Left · 1The Independent reports that Brand was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009, and that the judge told him he will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence in prison. Left · 1The Independent adds that the Metropolitan Police is already investigating Brand over two more alleged rapes, including one against a 16-year-old schoolgirl, and that charging files are being considered by the Crown Prosecution Service. Mixed · 2Both outlets quote jokes from the special about Brand's sex life and the birth of his daughter.

Right · 1Jill Greenfield, chairman of the Fawcett Society, told the Telegraph the decision was "a bit surprising" and said: "With a criminal conviction, it’s a wonder why you’d keep it up." Mixed · 2Greenfield's further comments, carried by both the Independent and the Express, were: "They’re a broadcaster, they need to think about the audience, especially when there are further investigations going on." Centre · 1Deadline adds context that Netflix sets a high bar for removals, having stood by Dave Chappelle over his views on transgender rights and rebuffed calls in 2022 to take down Jimmy Carr's special His Dark Material.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
The Independent leads on Netflix keeping the special despite the rape conviction, noting it is demoted but still accessible, and pairs this with the Fawcett Society's criticism and the ongoing police investigations.
Emphasis
The conviction and sentencing remarks, the Fawcett Society's reaction, and the Metropolitan Police's two further rape investigations.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention Netflix's past decisions on Dave Chappelle or Jimmy Carr, or that the show can still be found by searching 'British stand-up comedy'; quotes none of the special's jokes beyond a paraphrase.
Charged language
“despite rape conviction”
For example
“Netflix has decided to keep Russell Brand’s 2018 stand-up special on its platform, despite the comedian’s conviction for rape and sexual assault.” — The Independent
“The Metropolitan Police is already investigating Brand over two more alleged rapes” — The Independent

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Industry-trade report on Netflix's content policy: the special stays but is demoted, set against past refusals to remove Chappelle and Jimmy Carr material.
Emphasis
Netflix's internal discussions, how the show is (not) surfaced in search and recommendations, and precedent for Netflix keeping contested content.
Leaves out or plays down
Includes no outside criticism of the decision, such as the Fawcett Society's comments, and no mention of further police investigations.
Charged language
“Crude Sex Joke”
For example
“Netflix has a high bar for content removals.” — Deadline
“The show can be found, however, by searching for “British stand-up comedy.”” — Deadline

Right1 outlet

Framing
Tabloid-style report that leads on Netflix's refusal and carries criticism of it, alongside the judge's condemnation of Brand and resurfaced past controversies.
Emphasis
The sentencing remarks, victim impact statements, Brand's jokes, resurfaced incidents (Big Fat Quiz, Dannii Minogue) and the Fawcett Society's reaction.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention Netflix's past decisions on Chappelle or Jimmy Carr, the further police investigations, or where the show remains searchable.
Charged language
“rapist”“disgraced former comedian”
For example
“Netflix refuses to take down Russell Brand programme after rapist sentenced” — Daily Express
“Many of Brand's previous interviews and appearances have resurfaced in light of his conviction.” — Daily Express

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