Roku Adds Then Quickly Removes Alex Jones Channel Following Outrage

Brandon Kochkodin, Bloomberg News

WATFORD, ENGLAND - JUNE 06: Alex Jones (C), an American radio host, author and conspiracy theorist, addresses media and protesters in the protester encampment outside The Grove hotel, which is hosting the annual Bilderberg conference, on June 6, 2013 in Watford, England. The traditionally secretive conference, which has taken place since 1954, is expected to be attended by politicians, bank bosses, billionaires, chief executives and European royalty. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) , Photographer: Oli Scarff/Getty Images Europe

(Bloomberg) -- Roku Inc. reversed course on its decision to add Alex Jones’ InfoWars to their streaming service after public outrage.

The California-based company initially defended adding the show on the grounds that it does not “censor based on viewpoint.”

Roku tweeted on Tuesday that it decided to remove the channel after hearing from concerned parties.

Infowars was previously banned by companies such as Facebook Inc., YouTube, Apple Inc., Spotify Technology SA and Twitter Inc. for his controversial conspiracy theories. InfoWars lost a legal fight on Friday with families of victims killed during the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. A Connecticut judge granted the families’ discovery request that will allow them access to InfoWars financial documents. Jones has asserted that the shooting was a hoax.

To contact the reporter on this story: Brandon Kochkodin in New York at bkochkodin@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: David Papadopoulos at papadopoulos@bloomberg.net