Money ahead of Principles: Netflix Pulls Comedy Show on MBS after Saudi Pressure

Local Editor

Netflix has removed an episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj from its Saudi catalog, after the Kingdom’s government took offense to a segment criticizing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In the episode, still available in the US, the Muslim American comedian blasts Saudi Arabia’s role in the war in Yemen and the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as MBS’ self-stoked image as a ‘reformer.’

According to the FT, the streaming site confirmed it had removed the episode, which is described on the website as: "Hasan exposes grim truths about Saudi Arabia and the charismatic crown prince known as 'MBS [Mohammed bin Salman].'"

The decision followed a complaint made by Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission on the grounds that the episode violated the anti-cybercrime law against "material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy".

Under Article 6 of Saudi Arabia's anti-cybercrime law, “production, preparation, transmission, or storage" of such material "through the information network or computers” is punishable by a five-year prison sentence and a 3m Saudi riyal [$800,000] fine.

In the episode, the comedian takes aim at the kingdom in the aftermath of Khashoggi's assassination inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October.

Both the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which he calls “the biggest tragedy of the MBS era”, and the crown prince himself come in for criticism. Minhaj calls for American ties to the oil-rich kingdom to be placed under the spotlight.

“Now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia. And I mean that as a Muslim, and as an American,” he says in the episode.

Netflix defended the decision in a statement, saying: “We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request - and to comply with local law.”

The report has provoked a response from many prominent figures on social media.

"Wow. When Netflix censors material on behalf of Mohammad bin Salman," tweeted Iyad el-Baghdadi, a Norway-based human rights activist. "Many of us Arabs were very excited when Netflix launched its MENA division, because we thought this is a way in which we can bypass censorship. I guess there's the end of that."

"Money always comes ahead of principles. Corporatism is a pillar of the structure of power that keeps us pinned down," he added.

Others on social media shared Baghdadi's concern, wondering how much influence Mohammed bin Salman had over Netflix.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team