Kuwait backs GCC against offensive Netflix content

Two Kuwaiti state bodies on Wednesday said they support a demand by Gulf Cooperation Council member countries for US streaming giant Netflix to remove content they deem “offensive” and an affront to Islamic social values.

Kuwait will “closely monitor” how compliant Netflix will be with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s request, according to a joint statement by the Information Ministry and the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority. Any content seen as “inappropriate” will be strictly banned, the statement warned, saying Netflix risks facing legal action if the demand by Gulf Arab countries is not met.

Earlier, Egypt’s media regulator demanded Wednesday that Netflix and other streaming services adhere to this majority Muslim country’s “societal values” – a veiled reference to programs featuring members of the LGBTQ community. Homosexuality is highly taboo in Egypt, where a 2013 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 95% of those polled said it should be “rejected by society.”

The statement came a day after Gulf Arab countries asked Netflix to remove “offensive content” on the streaming service, apparently targeting programs that show gays and lesbians.

A joint statement issued on behalf of a committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council made the request, saying the unspecified programs “contradict Islamic and societal values and principles.” Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates each published the statement via their respective governments as well. They, along with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, make up the six-nation council.