Raunchy pop video prompts Lebanese govt ban, ignites Twitter debate
The Lebanese government has banned a new pop video by a model-turned-popstar due to its erotic overtones, igniting debate around censorship in the Mideast country.
Myriam Klink’s music production ‘Goal’ was banned less than 24 hours after it was released on Friday.
A statement from Justice Minister Salim Jreissati’s office stated that displaying, distributing or circulating the provocative video would result in a 50 million Lebanese lira, fine. ($33.000)
Although there is no nudity in the video, the raunchy lyrics and provocative clothing, were enough for the censors to deem the content “indecent”. Censors also took offence to the presence of a child in the video, saying that the inclusion of the girl amounted to child “exploitation”.
The video has since been withdrawn from all types of media outlets, including social media and YouTube.
The video’s ban received widespread attention on social media, not least from the pop star herself. However, there were also numerous messages of support as well as sharp criticism of the popstar.
All this attention for ME??? Hihihi thank you Lebanon 😇
— myriam klink (@myriamklinkk) March 5, 2017
@myriamklinkk tbh I h8 ur singing but you're a lovely person and it wouldn't hurt other Arab singers to make their videos a bit more exciing
— نور القمر (@karim_houssami) March 5, 2017
Myriam Klink is the reason why I'm embarrassed to say that I'm Lebanese sometimes
— Shroom (@Chantal_Bayeh) March 3, 2017
Repeat after me: Stop giving Myriam Klink attention.
— Anis Tabet (@AnisTabet23) March 4, 2017
It was starting to look like a good day until someone blasted Myriam Klink's new song in the office.
— Yomna Aref (@yomnaaref) March 6, 2017
This isn’t the first time the Lebanese government has banned content it deemed controversial. The Virtual Museum of Censorship has collated everything that has been banned in the country, with works by Lady Gaga and Metallica among those put on virtual display.
Klink, herself no stranger to controversy, fell foul of Lebanon’s censorship board for another video in 2012.
