Gulf governments want Netflix to remove anti-Islamic content
Netflix must remove anything “against Islamic and societal values,” according to the Gulf governments.
Among others, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman did not describe the content but noted that it was directed towards minors.
According to Saudi Arabia’s media watchdog, the Gulf Arab states have ordered that US streaming giant Netflix remove any content that they perceive to be against “Islamic and societal standards” in the area.
Although the content was not specified, it was noted that it was not a kid-friendly material. In a programme on the subject, the Saudi government-run Al Ekhbariya TV aired cartoon clips that appeared to show two girls cuddling.
According to a statement from the General Commission for Audio-Visual Media in Riyadh, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, the content breached media laws in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Without going into further detail, it stated that “appropriate legal measures will be taken” if Netflix continues to show the content. A request for comment from Reuters did not receive a response right away from Netflix.
Gulf governments want Netflix to remove anti-Islamic content
In a similarly phrased statement, the UAE said on Tuesday that it would monitor Netflix material in the following days and “evaluate its commitment to broadcasting restrictions” in the nation.
Many countries with a majority of Muslims criminalise same-sex relationships, and regulators in those countries have in the past banned films that depict such relationships. In contrast, films that contain profanity or illegal drug use are occasionally censored.
Because it has characters who are in a same-sex relationship, the animated feature film Lightyear from Walt Disney-Pixar was earlier this year banned from theatres in the UAE and other Muslim countries.
