Netflix speaks out against Georgia’s anti-abortion law

Netflix has pledged to work with activist organisations and politicians to fight the US state of Georgia’s recent anti-abortion legislation.

The streaming giant’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos said the firm has many female employees in Georgia, which is a major hub for television and film production.

“It’s why we will work with the American Civil Liberties Union and others to fight it in court,” said Sarandos.

“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.”

The bill bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks into pregnancy.

It was signed into law by Georgia governor Brian Kemp earlier this month, and has received widespread backlash across the US. 

Georgia is one of eight states to pass anti-abortion legislation this year seeking to induce the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case that established a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy. The Georgia law comes into effect on 1 January next year.

Comedian and actor Kristen Wiig told CNN last week that her new comedy would not film in Georgia as a direct result of the legislation, while creators of Amazon's 'The Power' said it would no longer scout for locations in the state.

Georgia has been the site of choice for several major productions in recent years, including Marvel's 'Black Panther'. The state has a 30 per cent tax credit in place for productions shot there, incentivising Hollywood to use it as a backdrop for film and television sets.

The industry is responsible for more than 92,000 jobs in Georgia, according to the Motion Picture Association of America, and some 455 film and TV shows were shot in the state in 2018, according to then-governor Nathan Deal.

Award-winning filmmakers Jordan Peele and JJ Abrams recently said they would donate 100 per cent of the fees for their new show 'Lovecraft Country' to the ACLU of Georgia and Fair Fight Georgia, as the production gets underway in the state.