MBC launched a Twitter campaign to empower women, but some people weren't happy

In tweets posted on MBC 4's official Twitter account on Friday (which now seem to have been removed), the channel launched a women's empowerment campaign under the hashtag #كوني_حرة (#BeFree). 

The clear aim of the hashtag is to send a message of empowerment to women across the Arab world. This is a message that MBC channels, especially MBC 4, have endorsed for years through many of their programs.

But this campaign in specific, seems to have been misinterpreted by thousands in Saudi Arabia who have taken to Twitter to express outrage over what they see as an inappropriate call for Saudi women to go against religious and social norms.

While many attacked MBC, specifically focusing on the image attached to one of the campaign's tweets, there were also hundreds who tweeted their support.

MBC group have yet to release an official statement on the issue.

"The #BeFree campaign's slogans and images (no boundaries), (the prisons of slavery and darkness) are a clear call for women to rebel. Those who call for freedom with no boundaries are ultimately calling for chaos."

"Prince Abdel Aziz Ben Fahad warns MBC and demands that they repeal the #BeFree Twitter campaign."

"It would have been possible to look for positive connotations in MBC 4's #BeFree campaign but the images posted along with the tweets do not allow for that."

"MBC 4 deletes #BeFree campaign tweets after intense backlash from Saudi society."

"Personally, I am proud of the fact that MBC channels are Saudi. They have achieved what no other television group in the Arab world has and their content satisfies everyone. That is what's important."

"They attack MBC and advise people to boycott the channels and its them and their families who watch the channels' diverse content." 

"I support the #BeFree campaign.

Be Free."

"I support MBC in their #BeFree campaign. Freedom is not a gift, it's a right." 

"I honestly don't get why everyone is so upset!"

"One of the worst things I've noticed on Twitter is the phenomenon of those who find a hashtag campaign and join it without bothering to fact check."