Business Communication and Character

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Report Concludes that Amazon Is "Delivering Hate"

A scathing report accuses Amazon of spreading hate in the form of white supremacist and racist material. The report, published by Partnership for Working Families and the Action Center on Race and the Economy, cited books, clothing, jewelry, and other items for sale. Listings include Nazi memorabilia, references to lynching, and Confederate flags, for example, a baby's onesie with a burning cross and a noose decal.

The report authors argue that, although Amazon has policies in place to prevent the sale of "products that promote or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual or religious intolerance or promote organizations with such views," the company acts too slowly or not at all to remove such items. 

Danielle Citron, a professor at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law, said that Amazon hasn't been criticized as much as Twitter and Facebook have been.

Discussion:

  • The law professor acknowledged that Amazon wouldn't be held liable. What do you think is the company's responsibility?
  • What's the danger of both too little and too much oversight of item listings? 
  • Analyze the report: audience, objectives, organization, writing style, and so on? Which business report writing principles are followed, and what could be improved?