Page 33 - Issue 72
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V O L .1 E L I T E ISSUE 72
join a live broadcast in exchange for that is no less daring and are not subject
money. From that moment on, TikTok to the same persecution. The difference,
became a symbol of social conflict, with then, is not in the act itself, but in who
young men and women who own cheap performs it and how. Vulgarity becomes
phones and dream of escaping poverty acceptable if it is produced by a large
on one side, and lawyers and institutions company, has an English accent from
who see this space as a threat on par “Egypt,” or is surrounded by an aura of
with drugs or terrorism on the other. stardom.
Strangely, however, the law on which
most of these cases are based, the 2018
Information Technology Crimes Law,
does not provide a clear definition of
family values. The term is left open and
vague, allowing it to be interpreted
according to the whims of the judge,
lawyer, or even the general atmosphere.
The irony reaches the point of absurdity
when we look at drama and cinema.
During Ramadan, the season that is
Reflecting on the names and faces supposed to be the most family-oriented,
targeted shows us that the overwhelming TV series are filled with scenes of
majority of those accused come from domestic violence, bullying and drug use,
working-class or lower-middle-class and these scenes are presented with a
backgrounds. They are ordinary people comedic touch that makes them seem
who do not own production companies normal, acceptable and perhaps even
or have advertising contracts, nor do endearing. For me, the series Al-Atawla,
they have a social or political safety net. which has two parts that aired during
They are just young people using their two different Ramadans, was a clear
phones to broadcast content that may be example of this disconnect: the amount
superficial or crude to some, but of explicit swearing, foul language and
ultimately remains part of the open unjustified violence was staggering,
space of the internet. The irony is that especially since it was shown at peak
stars of art and media, and even other viewing times in front of millions of
content creators who appear to be from children and families. I cannot 33
affluent backgrounds, produce content comprehend how broadcasting a girl
