MTV Censors Videos

Alvin Blaine · From: Picture Rocks, Arizona, USA

I don't know if anyone read the story in the New York Times about MTV Europe banning all videos that have anything to do with war.After years of MTV Europe showing music videos with everything you can think of(full nudity, sex, drug use) they decide to censor videos with guns and military themes.

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MTV Europe bans war imagery -- and the B-52s, too

By Neil Strauss
The New York Times
Posted March 27 2003

Though images of war are dominating television screens, one channel is not having it. The day after the war in Iraq started, a memo was distributed through the offices of MTV Europe by its broadcast standards department.

In the memo, Mark Sunderland, one of the department's managers, recommends that music videos depicting "war, soldiers, warplanes, bombs, missiles, riots and social unrest, executions" and "other obviously sensitive material" not be shown on MTV in Britain and elsewhere in Europe until further notice.

The memo cites explicit examples. These include videos that relate directly to the war in Iraq, such as Boom! by System of a Down; videos with bombs exploding, such as Billy Idol's Hot in the City; videos with war scenes, such as Radiohead's Lucky; and even Aerosmith's Don't Want to Miss a Thing, which has scenes from the action movie Armageddon.

Taking further cautionary measures, the memo goes on to advise against showing videos in which lyrics, song titles or even band names allude to war, bombs or other "sensitive words." It mentions the songs B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad) by Outkast; You, Me and World War Three by Gavin Friday; and anything by the B-52s.

"I guess MTV doesn't have a research department, because from Day 1 we've said in interviews that our name is a slang term for the bouffant hairdo Kate and Cindy used to wear -- nothing to do with bombers, " said Fred Schneider of the B-52s, referring to fellow band members.

A spokeswoman for MTV Networks said that the memo applied only to MTV in Europe. She also said that the videos listed were not banned but simply singled out as examples of the kinds of videos that it is advising against showing. She added, however, that MTV in the United States was also "being responsive to the heightened sensitivities of its audience."

Rap mogul Russell Simmons and rapper Mos Def have said that MTV in the United States would not show anti-war public service commercials they had created. The MTV spokeswoman confirmed this, saying in an e-mail message that "MTV does not accept advocacy ads."

In the MTV Europe memo, Sunderland cites as justification the programming code of the Independent Television Commission, the regulatory body for commercial television in Britain. The code sets down rules against programming that "offends against good taste or decency." The code makes no mention of banning references to war, bombs and planes during wartime, though it does include language against the portrayal of violence during times when children may be watching.

Serj Tankian, the singer in the hard rock band System of a Down, said that MTV in Britain was not showing his band's new video, Boom!, but that MTV in the United States was. (The MTV spokeswoman confirmed this.) The video was directed by Oscar-winning documentary maker Michael Moore and shows scenes of peace marches around the world. Tankian said the music-video network MuchMusic in Canada is showing Boom!, but MuchMusic USA is not.

Georgia Juvelis, a spokeswoman for MuchMusic USA, said that the video had not yet been shown but still might be. It is not being added to the regular rotation but may be added to a show, Oven Fresh, in which viewers vote on the videos they want to see.

BBC Radio 1 recently removed the song Bandages, by the rock group Hot Hot Heat, from its playlist, fearing that the repetition of the word "bandages" may upset some listeners.

In the meantime several radio promoters at record labels said that the biggest radio conglomerate in the United States, Clear Channel, though known for its conservative policies, had not expressed any overt policy about altering its playlist.

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Well, It's either a good idea or a bad idea depending on if you are for it, or against it.

Damn. I'm actually growing up...

Alvin Blaine · From: Picture Rocks, Arizona, USA

Eric, that sounds like a Politicians reply. The thing is I don't know if I'm for,or against it. I am against censorship, but then some music videos do go to far. However I don't think that banning the "B52's" video is going to change whatever it is they are trying to change.
They don't seem to be discriminating between pro-war or anti-war, they just don't want anything war.

Eric Myers · Posted 28 Mar 2003 8:47 am

Remember VH! Behind the Music? When they did a show one Ted Nugent, who is an advocate of american rights, lives clean and sober, and certainly a good role model in a buisness filled with drug addled stars and shady politics, they put a DISCLAIMER before the show and gave time after the show time to repute the man. This was the only show of that series to do so. Meanwhile, all the sad stories of drugs, corrupt and degenerate lifestyles that is the usual fodder of the series goes on with no moralizing. My point is MTV, VH1 and the whole music biz ilk have an agenda, and its very left wing. I dont mean to offend anyone here just making a point.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

What Eric said, except sometimes.
Actually, I don't like ANY music videos. Something about the question,"Have you SEEN(whoever's)NEW SONG," just doesn't sound right. Doesn't look right, either.

David Cobb · From: Chanute, Kansas, USA

I agree totally Mr. Myers, I've noticed the same thing. Sickening propoganda and it's all aimed at the kids.

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

Yeah, what happened to the good old days when the song painted the picture?

I am sort of struck by the stand MTV is taking. Did they change ownership recently? Or maybe their owners are growing up-- to acknowledge there can be and enforced standard of decency even where a free press is concerned.

This ban doesn't bode well for Madonna's next video.

Ted Nugent is an absolute breath of fresh air both the rock music business and in game hunting/archery; a good, clean-living son of a soldier. Each time I hear him speak he is right to the point. Strong views, yes, but he also walks the talk.

I don't really mind the advocacy ads as long as it's clear who's paying for them.

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HagFan

ajm · From: Los Angeles

I don't mean to turn this into a "Ted thread", but I've been a fan since the mid '70s. I see where he's touring with ZZ Top and Kenny Wayne Shepard this summer.

After hearing this the other day, I cruised his web site and found this interesting side article. It may actually be more suitable for Off Topic, and if so I apologize. At any rate, you've been warned........
http://www.tnugent.com/news/northwestern.shtml

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Artie McEwan

JB Arnold · From: Longmont,Co,USA (deceased)

I think you'll find, when dealing with the European way of thinking, that their feeling is that nudity and sexuality is a part of life and nothing to be ashamed of. They feel Graphic depictions of violence are a great deal more harmful, and cause a lot of the problems we are having today.

An example: One of my Niece's best friends Father is from Germany. Now whenever the girls are going to the movies, we all pretty much agree that PG-13 is ok, and anything rated R we hafta all talk. Well, the girls went to see the recent J-Lo movie, where she plays an abused spouse who eventually gets even with the bad guy by kicking his butt herself, since the system won't stop him. Typical stuff. This girl's Dad went nuts. As far as he's concerned, it's MUCH better to take her to say, an R rated American Pie-full of nudity, pot humor, and drinking than the PG rated J-Lo flick, which condones extreme violence as an acceptable method of dealing with a problem. He says Americans have an unhealthy hangup about sex, which is just a part of life anyway. He insists most of our societal problems are based on a casual acceptance of a glorification of violence-in any form. He says we've got our taboos all mixed up. He really was angry.

Now I don't agree with Peter on much, and he's kind of controlling so he drives the kids nuts, but he does have a point, and I think most Europeans see it the same way-If you're going to censor something, it's the violence that needs controlled. Keeping sex off the screen isn't keeping it off kids minds. But maybe if we tone down the violent content that's available, it'll dial it back on the streets over time.

That was his point, and a good one at that.

JB

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Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

Alvin, I am glad to see MTV banning some of the material. I wish they would ban a lot more. I have always thought a lot of their videos were filthy and I refuse to let my children watch them. Some of the CMT videos are not too much better. I have never been a rock and roll fan even though I realize there are some good singers as well as some good musicians. They always used too much distortion and effects for my taste and I have trouble understanding a lot of the lyrics they are supposed to be singing. A lot of the videos, whether they be rock or country, do not make any sense to me. I like my music country and I do not see it changing any time soon...Paul

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Personally I'm not into music videos at all, unless it's a film of a live performance. Music is an AURAL art from. If it's good, it doesn't need a video to accompany it.

Having said that. I must also add that I'd much rather see a film or video of a naked woman, than one that depicted somebody getting killed.

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i'll agree w: JB !

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

YOU WANNA SEE HILARY NEKKID?????? MAN, MIKE, YOU GOTTA QUIT SMOKIN' THAT STUFF!!

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Hillary or Monica Steve, You choose.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

Actually, I'm a Janet Reno guy myself. Just can't get enough.....