Netflix Faces Criticism For Removing Satirical Comedy Episode After Saudi Arabia Complaint

An episode of 'The Patriot Act' criticised Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Netflix has been criticised for removing an episode of a satirical comedy series in Saudi Arabia because it was deemed critical of the kingdom’s rulers.

Episode two of US comedian’s Hasan Minhaj’s ‘Patriot Act’ was pulled after it criticised Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Hasan Minhaj in 'The Patriot Act'
Hasan Minhaj in 'The Patriot Act'
Netflix

Khashoggi, a vocal critic of the kingdom’s royal family, was killed at the the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.

Netflix confirmed to the Financial Times it had pulled the episode after receiving a complaint from the kingdom’s Communications and Information Technology Commission that it violated Saudi anti-cybercrime law.

The streaming giant said: “We strongly support artistic freedom and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request — and to comply with local law.”

The episode in question is reportedly still available in Saudi Arabia on YouTube.

In it, Minhaj criticises Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi’s death and the country’s involvement in the ongoing war in Yemen.

Karen Attiah, Khashoggi’s editor at The Washington Post, said Netflix’s decision was “quite outrageous” and others slammed the streaming service on Twitter too:

.@hasanminhaj of @patriotact has been a strong, honest and (funny) voice challenging Saudi Arabia + Mohammed bin Salman in the wake of #khashoggi’s murder. He brought awareness about Yemen.

Quite outrageous that @netflix has pulled one of his episodes critical of Saudi Arabia.

— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) January 1, 2019

Every artist whose work appears on Netflix should be outraged that the company has agreed to censor a comedy show because the thin-skinned royals in Saudi complained about it

— Sarah Leah Whitson (@sarahleah1) January 1, 2019

On the second episode of Hasan Minhaj’s new show, he highlights the role Saudi money plays in propping up Silicon Valley companies. Now Netflix has removed the episode at the request of the Saudi government. Bad call @netflix. https://t.co/TTpDFTdNT3

— 🚨 stop voter suppression 🚨 (@onekade) January 1, 2019

Speaking of policing comedy... #Netflix cowers to #Saudi pressure to pull @hasanminhaj’s comedy show pic.twitter.com/Li1FwRjrfE

— Melissa Chen (@MsMelChen) January 1, 2019

Saudi Arabia has charged 11 people with the death of Khashoggi, though strongly denies that the crown prince ordered the killing.

In December, the US Senate passed a resolution saying the crown prince is responsible for the death.

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