When it comes to censorship, it works more adversely the more attention it gets. The latest example of this is with a new show on Netflix, the online video streaming service, which had an episode removed from Saudi Arabia for its message.
The show is called Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj. The second episode of the show was removed after the kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued a complaint, stating it violated anti-cybercrime laws.
The episode featured a comedic bit that criticized Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Istanbul consulate. It also pointed out the Saudi military intervention in Yemen.
Minhaj, who identifies as a Muslim American, believed that it was the right time to start thinking more critically of the country, believing that recent actions have been the most tragic things to occur under the leader’s reign.
Netflix issued a statement, confirming that the episode’s removal was due to the Communications and Information Technology Commission of Saudi Arabia stating that it violated Article six of the kingdom’s anti-cybercrime law. This law bans the “production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy, through the information network or computers”.
In other words, you’re not allowed to criticize the wrongdoings of their leaders, or you will be subject to no more than five years in prison and a fine not exceeding three million Saudi riyals ($800,000).
Censorship is an interesting prepper problem. To best survive, we need to know the truth. But for others to remain in power, abusive or otherwise, they will try their best to control the population and hide their flaws. This is why the Khashoggi killing was such a media wave when you start eliminating the people trying to spread the truth, everyone knows you’re hiding something.