Online Public Relations Thoughts

Amazon's CEO says he won't stop selling an anti-Semitic documentary film.  He justifies his position in the face of criticism as having a difficult task of deciding what people should see.  His statement is founded on a Free Speech philosophy.  He is right unless the documentary foments violence against Jews. But, being on the right side of the law won't help him if he becomes a PR pariah.  It has already started with numerous groups protesting the film and calling for Amazon to stop offering it.  The CEO's principle looks like greed from one angle.  Amazon will chase a dollar wherever it might be rather than taking steps to monitor products for objectionable content.  Even if he is right on principle, he risks a major PR gaffe.