Netflix
The request was made by a joint statement on behalf of a Gulf Cooperation Council committee, which stated that the unspecified programs “contradict Islamic values and principles”
On Tuesday, the Gulf Arab countries asked Netflix to remove offensive content from its streaming service. This apparently targeted programmes that showed gay and lesbian people.
The statement was also published by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia via their respective governments.
Together with Oman, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, they make up the six-nation council.
Although the statement was not elaborated, Saudi state TV also aired video from an interview it conducted in which a woman identified itself as a “behavioural consultant” and described Netflix as an “official sponsor for homosexuality.”
It broadcast footage of “Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous” which showed two women kissing, but the footage was blurred.
Saudi state television aired another segment suggesting that Netflix might be banned in the Kingdom due to its content reaching children.
Netflix, which is based in Los Gatos (California), did not respond Tuesday to our requests for comment.
This is after June saw countries in the Muslim World ban the public showing of Disney’s new animated film “Lightyear”. It was over a short clip that showed two lesbian characters kissing.
The company’s Disney streaming service stated that its content should be compatible with the local regulations in Gulf Arab countries.
Many Muslims consider homosexuals and lesbians sinful. Members of the LGBTQ community were sentenced to prison in some Arab countries.
Some countries have retained the death penalty.
This move comes as regional streaming services attempt to compete with Netflix’s revenues, including Shahid, which is operated by the Saudi-owned MBC Group.
After a string of 2017 arrests ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in relation to corruption allegations that led him to centralise power within the kingdom, it is believed that the Saudi government holds a controlling interest in MBC Group.
Saudi Arabia has had limited Netflix content in the past.
The streaming service was criticized by activists for a 2019 episode of Hasan Minhaj’s “Patriot Act” which criticised Prince Mohammed’s killing and dismemberment, as well the Kingdom’s involvement in the war on Yemen.
Netflix stated at the time that the episode had been removed from the Kingdom due to a legal request by authorities, and not because of its content.
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