Kuwait reacts to decision to stop broadcasting TV soap opera

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A new phenomena is spreading this Ramadan. More than one local TV soap opera has been stopped from broadcasting by the Ministry of InformationMinistry of InformationMinistry of Information - Kuwait
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. Also, some satellite channels stopped broadcasting some soaps or programs because they thought they may cause problems or may be stopped by the ministry.

The most famous case was the 'Sotik Wasal' TV soap, broadcasted on the private Kuwaiti satellite channel, Scope TV. This comedy soap was imitating some members of parliament and ministers in a funny way. Some ministers and MPs considered it insulting, while most MPs - including some who were imitated - didn't protest against it and refused the resolution of the Ministry of InformationMinistry of InformationMinistry of Information - Kuwait
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to stop it.

Furthermore, the Cabinet decided to transfer program producers to the general prosecutor if his or her program insulted state officials.

In a statement made by the Kuwait Society for Human Rights (KSHR), the organization condemned such acts by the Cabinet and the Ministry of InformationMinistry of InformationMinistry of Information - Kuwait
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. They believe all cultural and intellectual works should be allowed to be broadcasted if done so within the law and that afterwards, the "victims" can go to court to demand their rights if he or she thinks their rights were violated by the works. The society also demanded that more freedom be exercised and said that censorship should only be put in place in accordance with the law.

The KSHR's letter also questioned such acts in a country like Kuwait, where freedom of the press has been set in place since 1962 by the Constitution. This law gave the right to express opinions in many ways, including through comedy programs. In this letter, the KSHR also called on the Minister of InformationMinister of InformationMinistry of Information - Kuwait
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and the Cabinet to allow the broadcasting of 'Sotik Wasal' and 'Haqik Ma Ythee,' which is broadcasted on another channel.

Such decisions by the ministry caused great looses for the satellite channel, and TV audiences are not happy about the decision. "I saw two episodes of Sotik Wasal, and I laughed so much. It was really funny, and I didn't find it insulting. Also, the important personality that was imitated in this episode stated on the second day to the press that he laughed about the imitation. I'm definitely against stopping this soap from being broadcasted," noted Ibtisam, a 39-year-old woman.

The censorship is unacceptable for the viewers. "I'm against such decisions. This is illegal and against the freedom of press and media. In other countries, all the state officials are imitated and nobody protests. Such soaps and programs are normal and shouldn't be stopped," said Nuha, a 26=year-old Lebanese woman.