Netflix Takes Down Second Episode of Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act That Criticises Saudi Arabia
As per reports, the second episode of the series was taken off after receiving a request from Saudi's Communications and Information Technology Commission.
Netflix has removed an episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj which criticises the Saudi government. As per reports, the second episode of the series was taken off after receiving a request from Saudi's Communications and Information Technology Commission. Saudi officials have questioned the limits of free online expression.
In the episode, Minhaj who is an American born Muslim of Indian origin hits out at Saudi Arabi for the killing of Washington Post journalist Jama Khashoggi in Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He lashes out at Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. In November he had said that his identity gives him a certain edge in becoming "superpowers" in his "utility box" to help him take on all the "crazy stuff happening in politics and culture". Jamal Khashoggi Murder: CCTV Footage Shows Men Carrying Slain Saudi Journalist's 'Body Parts'.
The Saudi Information Ministry has not immediately responded to requests for comment. Reports quoted a Netflix spokeswoman as saying, "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law."
In December, the US Senate approved two resolutions accusing the prince of the killing as per the intelligence reports and urged an end to the US participation in the Yemen conflict. Minhaj rose to popularity after hosing the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2018 where he roasted US President Donald Trump, who was not in attendance. He began his career in comedy with American late-night talk program, The Daily Show.
After that, he did the comedy series The Homecoming King on Netflix that gave rise to The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj. Talking about the latter, he was quoted as saying, "The Patriot Act, a pulpy, satirical take on topics such as America's marriage of convenience with Saudi Arabia (his words), oil, affirmative action and Amazon, is like taking coffee and making a coffee espresso."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 02, 2019 09:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).