PewDiePie’s jokes offend companies, crowds
JUST A JOKE! Swedish YouTube star Felix Kjellberg asserts that his jokes do not in any way reflect support towards anti-Semitism. His off-color humor has recently caused companies to sever ties with him. Because of these new developments, Kjellberg’s incoming revenue is predicted to drop.
The US is known for its protection of the right to free speech, yet careless words can still lead to unfavorable consequences. A recent example of this includes the popular YouTuber Felix Kjellberg, who is better known to his fans as PewDiePie.
Because of the anti-Semitic jokes rooted in a few of his videos, Kjellberg has encountered backlash from companies that were involved with him. To start, Disney-owned Maker Studios has terminated its partnership with Kjellberg.
“Although Felix has created a following by being provocative and irreverent, he clearly went too far in this case and the resulting videos are inappropriate,” said a Maker Studios spokesperson on February 13.
Additionally, YouTube has taken a similar approach to Kjellberg.
Although Kjellberg’s channel will not be removed, “We’ve decided to cancel the release of ‘Scare PewDiePie’ season 2, and we’re removing the PewDiePie channel from Google Preferred,” said a YouTube spokesperson.
The removal from Google Preferred advertising program will likely decrease his revenue.
Kjellberg, who is considered as YouTube’s most popular star, responded to these negative reactions via Tumblr.
“I want to make one thing clear: I am in no way supporting any kind of hateful attitudes. I think of the content that I create as entertainment, and not a place for any serious political commentary.
“I know my audience understands that [I create entertainment]and that is why they come to my channel. Though this was not my intention, I understand that these jokes were ultimately offensive,” Kjelberg said on his Tumblr post.
However, some viewers are less than impressed with the YouTube star’s apologetic statements.
“I personally do not support someone who makes any type of racist, Islamophobic, sexist, or anti-Semitic jokes. It wasn’t funny at all,” said Grace Creek, 10.
In the same fashion, Jonathan Vick from the Anti Defamation League responded to Kjellberg’s post.
“Just putting it out there brings it more and more into the mainstream,” Vick said to “The Washington Post.”
