The streaming giant will add 'additional' warnings before the first episode and strengthen 'the messaging and resource language' in two episodes which explicitly depict rape and suicide.
- May 2, 2017
AceShowbiz - Netflix is taking action following the recent strong criticism towards its controversial drama, "13 Reasons Why". On Monday, May 1, the streaming giant issued a statement saying that it would be adding more trigger warnings to the series based on Young Adult novel written by Jay Asher.
Netflix previously fronted two episodes, which explicitly depicted rape and suicide (Episode 9 ("Tape 7, Side A") and 13 ("Tape 5, Side A"), with warnings to viewers. With the additional warnings, Netflix will add a warning to the show before the first episode and strengthen "the messaging and resource language in the existing cards for episodes that contain graphic subject matter."
"There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about our series 13 Reasons Why. While many of our members find the show to be a valuable driver for starting important conversation with their families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should carry additional advisories. Currently the episodes that carry graphic content are identified as such and the series overall carries a TV-MA rating," Netflix said in the statement.
The streaming service further explained, "Moving forward, we will add an additional viewer warning card before the first episode as an extra precaution for those about to start the series and have also strengthened the messaging and resource language in the existing cards for episodes that contain graphic subject matter, including the URL 13ReasonsWhy.info-a global resource center that provides information about professional organizations that support help around the serious matters addressed in the show."
Executive produced by Selena Gomez, "13 Reasons Why" has been rising concerns of people throughout community, including schools officials and health experts for glorifying teen suicide. In Canada, the series is reportedly banned. An elementary school school warns parents, "Please let your child know that discussion of '13 Reasons Why' is not permitted at school due to the disturbing subject matter."
Meanwhile, cast member Alisha Boe, who portrays a character named Jessica, recently defended the decision to display Hannah's suicide scene by saying, "It shouldn't be censored at all." She added, "If you just brush over the suicide scene, the audience will think that it was easy."
Created by Brian Yorkey, "13 Reasons Why" centers around Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), a teenager who explains her decision to commit suicide through a series of cassette tapes which she recorded before she took her own life. The tapes later are passed to everyone mentioned in the tapes, including Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) who has a secret crush on Hannah.
