If you think Donald Trump’s response to Saudi Arabia has been weak, then what do you make of Netflix?
The streaming giant recently capitulated to the Saudi royals, pulling an episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj that questioned U.S. policy toward the Saudis after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The Saudis cited its cyber-crime law, which can imprison someone for up to five years for “production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy, through the information network or computers.” Questioning the wisdom and morality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman apparently qualifies as such. No freedom of speech, them Saudis. Neflix’s reply? “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,”
Minhaj replied, in turn:
With an update!