Saudi Arabia and Gulf neighbors threaten Netflix over content material that ‘violates Islamic values’

Saudi Arabia and 5 different Gulf Arab international locations issued a joint assertion demanding that Netflix take away content material they are saying “violates Islamic and societal values and ideas,” Saudi media has reported.

The assertion stated that the streaming large’s materials was in breach of presidency laws, although it didn’t make particular reference to which subjects or exhibits broke these guidelines.

It is broadly believed, nevertheless, and voiced by native media and officers, that Netflix exhibits that includes gay characters, same-sex kissing and youngsters portrayed in a sexual gentle are the targets of the directive.

The transfer was taken “in gentle of the current commentary that the platform was broadcasting visible materials and content material which violates content material controls in GCC international locations,” the assertion by the Saudi Common Fee for Audiovisual Media and the GCC Committee of Digital Media Officers stated Tuesday.

The content material “violates Islamic and societal values and ideas. As such, the platform was contacted to take away this content material, together with content material directed at kids, and to make sure adherence to the legal guidelines.”

The GCC, or Gulf Cooperation Council, is comprised of the largely conservative, Muslim-majority states of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Homosexuality is criminalized in these international locations and might be punished by fines, jail time and even the loss of life penalty. 

The authorities additionally threatened authorized motion if Netflix fails to stick to its demand.

“All authorized measures might be taken to guard the Kingdom’s sovereignty, residents and residents from any mental assault aimed toward affecting its societies, values, security of upbringing their generations and defending them from dangerous content material,” Esra Assery, CEO of the Saudi Common Fee for Audiovisual Media, told Saudi outlet Arab News.

Netflix has not but publicly responded to the assertion and had no remark when contacted by CNBC.

Saudi state information channel Al Ekhbariya TV launched a televised report on the subject on Tuesday that includes clips from the Netflix animated present “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.” The report from the state community confirmed a blurred scene of two feminine characters expressing their love for each other and kissing.

Al Ekhbariya posted its report on its official Twitter account, which has 1.4 million followers, with the caption “Netflix promotes little one homosexuality beneath a cinematic cowl. Will #Netflix be blocked in Saudi Arabia quickly?”

One other tweet from the state community learn, “Netflix threatens the wholesome upbringing of kids,” and spreads “immoral messages.” A video in its tweet featured the hashtags “#CancelNetflix” and “#BoycottNetflix.”

Netflix has not responded to the accusations. However lots of its customers within the U.S. and Europe have celebrated the that includes of LGBTQ+ characters and content material on the streaming platform, saying it units a constructive instance for inclusivity and illustration. Netflix nonetheless boasts the best variety of customers of any paid-subscription streaming service, with some 220 million subscribers worldwide as of final June.

A YouGov survey from September 2021 found Netflix to be the most popular streaming service in Saudi Arabia, with 37% of residents within the kingdom saying they use it.

That is removed from the primary time authorities within the oil-rich Arab Gulf states have clashed with Western media on the subject of gay content material. In June, the Gulf international locations, together with a number of others in East and South Asia, banned the cinematic release of Disney Pixar’s animated film “Lightyear” over its that includes of a same-sex relationship and a quick same-sex kiss.

And in July, e-commerce large Amazon was directed by the UAE government to block search results for LGBTQ-related products on its UAE web site. Shortly earlier than that, authorities in Saudi Arabia raided several children’s stores to seize rainbow-themed toys and clothes as a part of a crackdown on homosexuality, state media reported on the time.

The pushbacks in opposition to LGBTQ+ themes come as among the area’s international locations, significantly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, try to diversify their economies away from hydrocarbons and entice new funding.

A part of their methods contains liberalizing reforms and enjoyable some beforehand strict social legal guidelines with a view to entice expertise from different components of the world. Up till 2018, film theaters had been banned in Saudi Arabia; they’re now being constructed all around the nation attributable to these reforms, although censorship of sure content material nonetheless applies.

Activists and human rights organizations have lengthy criticized the area’s legal guidelines on homosexuality, whereas its governments counter that the legal guidelines shield its spiritual and cultural norms.