Top Netflix spokesman fired for using racially insensitive word twice

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says he fired the company's top spokesman because he insensitively used the N-word on two separate occasions.

The spokesman, Jonathan Friedland, confirmed in tweets that he was leaving the company, saying he was insensitive in speaking with his team about words that offend in comedy.

In a memo to employees, published by Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, Hastings said Friedland used the word twice - first in a meeting of public relations staff several months ago about sensitive words.

Hastings wrote that several people told Friedland how inappropriate and hurtful his use of the word was.

Hastings says Friedland, who is white, later repeated the word with human resources staff trying to address the original incident.

Hastings wrote the second incident "confirmed a deep lack of understanding".

Friedland said he felt awful about the distress he caused people.

"I’m leaving Netflix after seven years. 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," he said on Twitter.

Netflix didn't respond to requests for comment.

With AP.