Is It Sinful to Watch a Reality Show In Which Backbiting Takes Place?

Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas
Question: Assalam ‘aleykum
Are you sinful for listening to backbiting and fighting on a reality show?
Sometimes I can’t avoid being in this situation and I would to advise some friends regarding this.

Answer: wa `alaykum assalam
It would be sinful to watch reality television shows that show the backbiting of people whether non-Muslim or Muslim.
As for your specific situation, if you are unable to excuse yourself from such settings then you should at least hate the sin in your heart.
Additionally, if you are able to advise those engaged in this act in a manner that does not cause harm to your relationship and worsen the situation, you should go ahead and do this.
Here are some answers on backbiting and commanding the good that I would recommend you read. The second link is particularly important before you make any judgments in advising those around you:
When is Backbiting Permissible?
The Criteria of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
Salman
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.