The CRTC wants a second look into the recent decision to ban the unedited version of the Dire Straits song Money for Nothing from Canadian radio.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is urging the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) to review the decision made earlier this month by its Atlantic Regional Panel.
The panel deemed the Grammy-winning 1985 rock tune unfit for Canadian radio in its unedited version, after a listener of CHOZ-FM in St. John's complained about the use of the word "faggot" in the song's lyrics.
The broadcast regulator reported receiving more than 250 complaints from the public over the CBSC's decision.
The problem I had with this decision is that it was made by such a small body--just the Atlantic arm of the CBSC. I mean, you're setting a pretty big precedent. I feel like they should have had some public forums or something. Maybe not the way they usually make their decisions, but if you're going to add a new word to the Ban List (which is essentially what they were doing), it should be done carefully.
I don't even know what they ban now, because... and here's the catch... who still listens to radio?? I listen to the CBC while working in the kitchen.
In the context of this song, I could understand banning "faggot" for the same reason as swear words, so that kids don't hear it. BUT. Do children listen to classic rock radio? Does anyone under the age of 40 listen to classic rock radio? Does classic rock radio still exist? I guess in Atlantic Canada.
I'll be interested to see how this progresses.
