GULF ARAB COUNTRIES DEMAND NETFLIX TO REMOVE ‘OFFENSIVE’ CONTENT OR RISK FACING LEGAL ACTION

Wed 07 September 2022:

Arab nations have demanded that Netflix remove any material that they perceive to be against “Islamic and societal values” in the area. These demands appear to be directed at shows that include gay and lesbian characters.

In an unified statement on Tuesday, the Gulf Cooperation Council demanded adherence to its standards or face legal consequences, possibly even a ban.

These Gulf countries include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.

Aside from that, declarations from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates criticizing Netflix for airing material about same-sex couples on its streaming platform were issued separately.

According to AP new agency, Saudi state television also aired a video of an interview it conducted with a woman identified as a “behavioural consultant” who termed Netflix as the “official sponsor of homosexuality.”

“If Netflix continued to broadcast the content then necessary legal measures will be taken,” the Riyadh-based General Commission for Audiovisual Media said in a stamen without elaborating further.

The UAE, too, came out with a similar worded statement regarding Netflix saying that would keep a close eye on what the platform broadcasts in coming days and “assess its commitment to broadcasting controls” in the country.

Many countries with a large Muslim population have made same-sex relationships illegal and frequently forbid the production of movies and television shows that depict such relationships. Some countries even maintain the death penalty.

Earlier this year, UAE and other Muslim states banned Walt Disney-Pixar’s animated feature film “Lightyear” from screening in cinemas because it showcases characters in a same-sex relationship.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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