Fact check: False claim that Netflix removed Christian movies originated as satire
The claim: Netflix is removing all Christian content
A viral Facebook post claims that Netflix has removed all Christian movies, shows and specials from its streaming service.
“Netflix removes all Christian movies,” reads a March 19 Facebook text post with more than 400 shares.
In a similar version of the claim, one user alleged that the all “Christian & Biblical content” would be canceled beginning March 30th.
USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook users for comment.
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Claim started as satire in 2016
Netflix issued a statement to USA TODAY confirming that it is not removing Christian movies from its streaming service.
The claim that Netflix is removing all Christian content originated from the satirical article “Netflix to remove all Christian content after complaints from Muslims” published March 29, 2016, on the site News Thump.
The top of News Thump’s site reads “UK Spoof News and Satire” and its about page states its aim is “to mock absolutely everyone, eventually.”
“We are not afraid to skip a few steps like checking facts or corroborating sources, and we never let the truth ruin a funny story (it’s much easier just to make everything up),” the disclaimer continues. “So, for clarification – If you read a story on here, then you are NOT supposed to believe it.”
According to Media Bias/Fact Check, News Thump, based in the United Kingdom, was founded in 2010 and discloses that it is a satire website.
A search on Netflix’s site shows that its “Faith & Spirituality” section is still up and available for viewing. There are no authentic news reports of the streaming service removing Christian content.
On March 26, the streaming service is releasing a movie about a Christian summer camp healing a troubled teen, according to People Magazine.
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Our rating: False
The claim that Netflix is getting rid of all Christian movies is FALSE, based on our research. Netflix confirmed that it is not removing Christian content and the claim originated on a satire website in 2016. A search further confirms that Netflix’s “Faith and Spirituality” section is still up and running.
Our fact-check sources:
- NewsThump, March 29, 2016, “Netflix to remove all Christian content after complaints from Muslims”
- NewsThump, “About NewsThump”
- Netflix, accessed March 21, “Faith & Spirituality”
- Media Bias/Fact Check, “News Thump”
- People Magazine, Feb. 22, “Bailee Madison and Kevin Quinn Sing in Trailer for Netflix’s Christian Summer Camp Musical A Week Away”
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Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.
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