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Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

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Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#71

Post by barry-cotter »

alexandercrohde wrote: post #24
barrkel wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not unreasonable for a sovereign country to exercise control over legal media in its territory. It might not be just, or fair, for residents of that country, but it is reasonable.

A government exercising control over the media in its country is a very clear-cut violation of the value of free-speech. The moral question is whether American companies should help foreign governments shut down free-speech. Just like google in China. And the consensus seems to be "No."

The consensus appears to be no among people with no power to effect those decisions. The consensus among legislators and members of the public who could change the minds of legislators is quite different.

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#72

Post by throwaway98121 »

nvo wrote: post #55
notmyaccount wrote: post #41

I hadn't watched it but thanks to this I am gonna watch it now.

They don't care if you watch it, they care if people in Saudi Arabia watch it.

I’m sure they care more than that. Global opinion matters, especially if it can influence policy makers, particularly citizens in the western developed countries.

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#73

Post by throwaway98121 »

intopieces wrote: post #37
dogma1138 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s a bit different in the U.K. official parliament footage isn’t allowed to be used for satire or anything other than news reporting. This was more of a copyright claim than censorship. They could literarily have broadcast the same thing with muppets instead of the official footage and that would’ve been ok and a large part of wishes they had done just that. “We wanted to show you footage from the House of Common…

>This was more of a copyright claim than censorship. Copyright claims that result in reduced access to media are censorship.

Thanks I was going to respond and say the same thing.

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#74

Post by nvo »

throwaway98121 wrote: post #72
nvo wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't care if you watch it, they care if people in Saudi Arabia watch it.

I’m sure they care more than that. Global opinion matters, especially if it can influence policy makers, particularly citizens in the western developed countries.

Saudi Arabia is 100% backed by Israel and Israel controls the media and most politicians through AIPAC and so on, so good luck with that.

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#75

Post by throwaway98121 »

Waterluvian wrote: post #11
opportune wrote: post #4

This is why Saudi Arabia is trying to buy up tech and especially social media (Snap, Twitter)

I think the simplest explanation is likely the right one: the writing is on the wall for oil in this century. Tech is a sensible investment.

I don’t think oil is going anywhere any time soon. Even if vehicles were suddenly completely electric in 20 years and all power generation no longer required fossil fuels, we still have things like jet fuel, asphalt, and plastics that require petroleum.

Not saying the saudis aren’t forward thinking about what to do when demand decreases, but so many folks do believe that oil = cars and going electric means we don’t need oil.

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#76

Post by throwaway98121 »

oarabbus_ wrote: post #46
inherentFloyd wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How? It's still censorship.

This must be a facetious comment. You don't see how it being only banned in Saudi Arabia is not as bad as Saudi Arabia complaining and having it taken down worldwide? Plus, Saudia Arabia is not known as a bastion of personal liberty. But that's besides the point; they are completely entitled to perform censorship within their own borders. It's simply your opinion (which I happen to agree with, but it is not a fact no…

I think it’s problematic. The fact it’s only censored inside Saudi Arabia means it doesn’t impact me directly. That being said, as the saudis continue investing in the west, in social media, in other Silicon Valley start ups, I don’t want there to be any chance these traditions (which I consider oppression) could seep up into my or my children’s way of life.

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#77

Post by [deleted] »

iandanforth wrote: post #10

Question: C-Corp vs Public-Benefit companies in similar situations. As I understand it Netflix really doesn't have the option of taking a principled stand here (let me know if I'm wrong) due its financial responsibilities toward shareholders. If they had incorporated as a public-benefit corporation would they have additional freedom to say "We won't participate in this market on ethical grounds?"

[deleted]

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#78

Post by tptacek »

tracker1 wrote: post #27
charlieflowers wrote: post #17

First time I've heard of the show. I watched about 20 minutes ... pretty good. The style reminds me of Samantha B ... political commentary sprinkled with humor.

I think it's much more entertaining than Samantha B myself.

It's Samantha Bee. That's her name.

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#79

Post by dingoegret »

dogma1138 wrote: post #28
gondo wrote: post #19

simillary UK censor HBO's Last Week Tonight show when it reports about uk parliament https://theweek.com/speedreads/778214/john-oliver-fiendish-p...

That’s a bit different in the U.K. official parliament footage isn’t allowed to be used for satire or anything other than news reporting. This was more of a copyright claim than censorship. They could literarily have broadcast the same thing with muppets instead of the official footage and that would’ve been ok and a large part of wishes they had done just that. “We wanted to show you footage from the House of Common…

It's always different when you do it isn't it?

Re: Netflix Takes Down Episode of Hasan Minhaj’s Show in Saudi Arabia

#80

Post by CoolGuySteve »

closeparen wrote: post #64

This is the only natural conclusion in a world where sovereign countries legislate the internet according to their values and tech companies follow local laws. Regulatory backlash isn't always going to be GDPR. Sometimes it's going to be this.

Let's also remember "regulatory backlash" can mean something that threatens the personal safety and freedom of a company's employees in that country.

When talking about censorship in these places, we should consider the ethical ramifications of possibly getting someone 'disappeared' for non-compliance.

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