Global Arab Network | Saudi Arabia: 'sex interview' shuts LBC TV

Translate this article to your language:

GANPublications

e-Publications

Add Site to Favorites

Add Page to Favorites

Make Homepage

Share This Page

RSS Feed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |

Saudi Arabia: 'sex interview' shuts LBC TV

Global Arab Network - - Adam Turner

Sunday, 09 August 2009 21:41

Authorities of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and Information have shut the offices of Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) in Jeddah, after it aired an interview with a Saudi man apparently discussing his sexual encounters.

A government spokesman announced the move on Sunday, saying that the closure of the Jeddah office of satellite station LBC was indefinite.

The controversy stems from a July 15 episode of LBC's "Ahmar Bilkhat al-Areed", or Bold Red Lines programme, in which a Saudi man spoke frankly about sex while the programme showed off erotic toys.

Abdul-Jawad, the Saudi man interviewed by LBC, shocked conservative Saudi Arabia by recounting details of his sexual exploits.

The divorced father of four spoke to camera from his bedroom in Jeddah about how couples can spice up their sex lives.

"Everything happens in this room," he said, before launching into descriptions of foreplay techniques and tricks for cruising women on the streets of Jeddah.

He was arrested soon afterwards and has subsequently begged forgiveness from Saudi society, a report from the Associated Press said.

Sulaiman al-Jumeii, Abdul-Jawad's lawyer, insists the interview was manipulated, saying his client was not aware in many instances that he was being recorded and that the sex toys were provided by the LBC staff.

In Beirut, Pierre Daher, who heads LBC, maintained his company's no-comment policy since the controversy erupted and has refused to confirm or deny the closure.

LBC is part-owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a Saudi billionaire.

Abdul-Jawad has been charged with publicising vice and lawyers say he may face the death penalty.

Like many Arab countries, Saudi Arabia prohibits sexually explicit content on television and in newspapers, magazines and books. (AP, AFP, Aljazeera TV)

Global Arab Network

Add comment

The opinions of the authors in articles published are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Arab Network
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Global Arab Network