Recently, Netflix announced they might not be able to keep doing business in Georgia due to the Heartbeat bill passed by the state’s legislature. Governor Brian Kemp signed the bill, which prohibits most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
It’s no surprise that a liberal media conglomerate would find a pro-life bill offensive. However, what is shocking is that while Netflix is shunning Georgia, they’re currently expanding production in nations that outlaw abortion altogether.
According to TheBlaze, Netflix is filming three original productions in the Middle East. One of the films is being shot in Egypt while the other two are being filmed in Jordan. Interestingly, abortion is reportedly punishable by imprisonment in Egypt. It’s only permitted in special cases pertaining to the development of the unborn baby or the health of the expectant mother in Jordan.
TheBlaze noted that “Apparently, ‘abortion rights’ only matter to Netflix in America.”
The Daily Caller reported that “Netflix’s expressed reluctance to produce content in regions with strong anti-abortion laws seemingly does not extend to the Middle East, where recently the company has been ramping up the number of undertaken projects, according to Variety.”
The conservative media outlet also revealed, “Netflix is working on its third Arabic original, titled ‘Paranormal,’ Variety reports. The show will be based on a series of Arabic horror books written by Egyptian author, Ahmed Khaled Tawfik, according to Variety. The show will be produced in Egypt, where abortion is punishable by imprisonment in almost all circumstances, according to the Pew Research Center.”
While productions abroad seem to be safe despite abortion laws that should make pro-choice advocates livid, Netflix filming in Georgia appears to be up in the air. Last week, Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer, commented that if Georgia’s Heartbeat law takes effect, Netflix might remove productions from The Peach State.
In a statement, Sarandos remarked, “We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law. It’s why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court. Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we’ll continue to film there, while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to. Should it ever come into effect, we’d rethink our entire investment in Georgia.”
Netflix isn’t the only media giant considering pulling out of Georgia. In a recent interview with Reuters, Bob Iger, Walt Disney Co Chief Executive, stated it would be “very difficult” for the media conglomerate to remain filming in The Peach State if the Heartbeat law takes effect.
Iger revealed his feelings that many people will no longer wish to work in the state. According to Reuters, Disney has filmed blockbuster films in Georgia including “Avengers: Endgame” and “Black Panther.”
When asked if his company would keep filming in the southern state, Iger said, “I rather doubt we will. I think many people who work for us will not want to work there, and we will have to heed their wishes in that regard. Right now we are watching it very carefully.”
In recent years, media companies have been flocking to The Peach State to take advantage of tax savings. According to Jonathon Hannah of the Federalist, “The Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act provides a 20 percent tax credit for companies that spend $500,000 or more on production and post-production in Georgia either in a single production or on multiple projects.
The state grants an additional 10 percent tax credit if the finished project includes a promotional logo provided by the state.”
Hannah aptly noted, “So it appears Netflix loves bills that give it huge tax breaks and enables it to avoid the high California taxes. Netflix just also wants to import blue state abortion policy wherever it goes.”
Netflix and Disney are clearly making the same knee-jerk reactions repeatedly seen in liberal circles. But, Hannah argued that “the Georgia fetal heartbeat law is the very essence of democracy and of our republic.”
He added, “The people of Georgia, through their democratically elected officials, weighed in on the very important issue of when life begins. They decided to protect what they define as vulnerable human beings.”
Hannah maintained that “Disney and Netflix should not serve as the pilots of our moral compass in this country.” Rather than boycotting Georgia, conservatives should seriously think about their devotion to blatantly hypocritical companies who attempt to bully states into submission over leftist ideology.
