Saudi Arabia, Gulf Countries Order Netflix to Remove Un-Islamic Content
variety.comSaudi Arabia and neighboring countries in the Middle East have told global streaming giant Netflix to remove un-Islamic content.
Although not specified, this is understood to mean that it should take down content including LGBTQ elements. The announcement was made Tuesday by the Committee of the Electronic Media Officials within the Gulf Cooperation Council, a trade and political association that includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.
Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. issued similar, separate statements. Associated Press reported that Saudi state television also aired video of an interview it conducted with a woman it identified as a behavioral consultant who described Netflix as being an “official sponsor of homosexuality.” It aired footage of a cartoon that had two women embrace, though the footage was blurred out. “Saudi state television also aired a segment suggesting Netflix could be banned in the kingdom over that programming reaching children,” AP reported.
Variety has reached out to Netflix for comment. Saudi Arabia began moves only as recently as 2017 to establish a cinema industry, something that has led to the building of multiplexes, development of local companies and organization of the annual Red Sea Film Festival.
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