Saleh Fareed

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — A Saudi TV show has caused outrage among critics and Twitter users after it played a prank on a little girl that apparently backfired.



Staff on the live show, which airs during Ramadan on Saudi Ajial channel, called the 11-year-old girl a liar and yelled at her loudly, causing her to cry.



After the episode was posted on YouTube, media columnists and critics immediately started attacking the program.



Twitter users also launched a campaign and created hashtags against the show and accused them of manipulating the girl’s feelings and verbally insulting her.



Director of Saudi TV in Jeddah Khalid Al-Baity said in a statement: “It was a normal prank that was exaggerated by many people and I did not see any abusive language used against the girl.”



He added that the show had been airing for four years and considered by many as funny and entertaining.



Commenting on the issue, psychiatrist Dr. Alaa Abass said: “Please do not play a prank on a child who is overly sensitive, easily embarrassed, or on one that simply can’t take a joke. “Keep in mind the age of the child.



“Some pranks are more appropriate for adolescents and teenagers, as younger kids may get upset or simply not ‘get it’.”