"Money for Nothing" ruling in Canada

[Pure]

This old rock staple by Dire Straits has been banned from radio play by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council [CBSC]. Repeated use of the term 'faggot' in the original; some variations in concerts.

Text of the ruling is at http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decisions/2011/110112.php

Is it about time to clear the airwaves of homophobic talk or is there a 'freedom of expression' issue, here?

Note the CBSC is NOT officially an arm of the government; it's an entity of the private broadcast industries' self regulation that deals with complaints from the public. A portion of its decision is pasted below.

story at http://www.thestar.com/entertainmen...money-for-nothing-ruling-makes-waves-on-radio

original version of song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwDDswGsJ60


Money for Nothing” ruling makes waves on radio

Published On Sat Jan 15 2011

Mark Knopfler at the Molson Amphitheatre in 2005.
STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Nick Krewen Special to the Star

Last week's ruling by the private radio regulator Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) to ban a Dire Straits song is “chilling” and effectively puts rock radio stations on notice, claims a longtime music industry expert.

Former Billboard Canadian bureau chief and current CelebrityAccess senior editor Larry LeBlanc says the fallout from banning Canadian private radio stations from airing the unedited version of the 1985 hit “Money For Nothing” — specifically for its repeated mention of the word “faggot” in a verse of the song — could resonate with music programmers for some time to come.

“It's an interesting precedent,” says LeBlanc, who has conducted radio-content research for the federal government and private broadcasters during his 45-year career. “And if you're an active radio station — particularly an active rock radio station — I would say it makes you very nervous about all the music that you've played over the years.”

[Full quotation of copyrighted material reduced per our forum guidelines.]

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I keep saying that Canada really needs to saw Ottawa off and push it out into the Great Lakes and let it sink. Terrible government for such a fine country.

 

[Xelebes]

This was a ruling by the CBSC, the Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council, a private organisation outside of Ottawa.

 

[Stella_Omega]

the song is written in the persona of a bigoted redneck type of guy, who IIR, Knoppfler overheard talking as he was moving furniture into Knoppfler's new house. it's a portrait. Knoppfler is talented enough writer that comes through pretty clearly.

Other than that, yeah, "faggot" is often the tinderbox word, the last epithet a gay man hears before he wakes up in ER. This is undeniable. When I first heard the song all the way back when, I shuddered. I admit it.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

This was a ruling by the CBSC, the Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council, a private organisation outside of Ottawa.

Ah, so extreme political correctness is not government policy. It was for a while. That's good to see. Now, the problem is one that we here in the south face regularly. When does freedom of speech reach its limits? Tough one . . .

 

[Stella_Omega]

Ah, so extreme political correctness is not government policy. It was for a while. That's good to see. Now, the problem is one that we here in the south face regularly. When does freedom of speech reach its limits? Tough one . . .

At the door to the emergency room.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

At the door to the emergency room.

Well, by then it's gotten past the 'speech' part. And there is no excuse for unprovoked violence.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Well, by then it's gotten past the 'speech' part. And there is no excuse for unprovoked violence.

Hate speech provokes violence. Haven't you noticed? That's what it's FOR, for firing up the haters so that they can be all manly and brutal against the hated.

I doubt this particular song has provoked much in the way of hatred. But that's what fucking happens when you make use of epithets in popular songs-- You have to understand that times and mores may change up on your ass. You get reaped along with whatever else has been sown.

 

[stephen55]

I admit that as a Canuck, this tempest in a "C" cup is embarrassing.

So, let's read the lyrics to Money For Nothing.
(From the Brothers In Arms Album)

I want my MTV

Now look at them yo-yo's that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Now that ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys ain't dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV's

(See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaire)

Gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
Gotta move these colour TV's

I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama, she got it stickin' in the camera
Man we could have some
And he's up there, what's that? Hawaiian noises?
Bangin' on the bongoes like a chimpanzee
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Get your money for nothin' get your chicks for free

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchens deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV's

Look a' here
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on your MTV
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Money for nothin' and chicks for free

Money for nothin' and your chicks for free

Look at that, look at that

Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
I want my, I want my, I want my MTV
Money for nothin' and chicks for free

(Fade)
I want my, I want my, I want my MTV

I want my MTV

Now look at them yo-yo's that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Now that ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys ain't dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV's

(See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaire)

Gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
Gotta move these colour TV's

I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama, she got it stickin' in the camera
Man we could have some
And he's up there, what's that? Hawaiian noises?
Bangin' on the bongoes like a chimpanzee
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Get your money for nothin' get your chicks for free

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchens deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV's

Look a' here
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on your MTV
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Money for nothin' and chicks for free

Money for nothin' and your chicks for free

Look at that, look at that

Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
I want my, I want my, I want my MTV
Money for nothin' and chicks for free

(Fade)
I want my, I want my, I want my MTV

It reads like a poor working stiff's complaint about the money and the lifestyle of rock stars. It reads (to me) like envy. I'm doing all the real work while you get all the goodies.

Money for nothin' and chicks for free...Look at that mama, she got it stickin' in the camera
Man we could have some

...despite calling the rock star a faggot, it looks like the working stiff thinks that the rock star is straight.

Leave the song alone, please.

 

[stephen55]

Ps; I read that in protest of the ruling, a radio station (I think it was in Toronto) played the song non-stop for 24 hours.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Ps; I read that in protest of the ruling, a radio station (I think it was in Toronto) played the song non-stop for 24 hours.

which helped, or hurt, their ratings, I wonder?

does any radio station have to abide by this ruling? i think not, eh.

 

[DeeZire]

....Even Dire Straits keyboardist Guy Fletcher weighed in on his website, calling the decision “unbelievable” and saying he had talked with Knopfler. “Mark tells me that due to the ban, he has now substituted the word faggot for ‘fudger' . . . for Canada,” Fletcher wrote.

This has been a dilemma for me, since I sing this song on occasion when I'm on a cover band gig. I'll try "fudger" next time. Singing "faggot" always gave me the creeps - to the point that I'd usually mumble it to render it unintelligible. I wonder if "fudger" would still be considered insulting? (My GF makes home made fudge, fer cryin' out loud.)

 

[amicus]

Oh, Canada, 'there you go again' (reagan), supposing, for the sake of conversation, that some find the words, 'gay pride' 'abortion', homosexual, Lesbian, queer, 'golden boys' the Russian term for gay men...and a whole bunch more, 'hate speech' inciting to violence among the normal community which insists those terms are unacceptable?

Those of you who attempted to censor this very forum should accept the guilt and the responsibility for aiding and abetting those who think they have the right to limit free speech, be it on the forum, on radio or television on in print.

You asked for it; do you have the courage to fight it now?

Amicus

 

[Stella_Omega]

Oh, Canada, 'there you go again' (reagan), supposing, for the sake of conversation, that some find the words, 'gay pride' 'abortion', homosexual, Lesbian, queer, 'golden boys' the Russian term for gay men...and a whole bunch more, 'hate speech' inciting to violence among the normal community which insists those terms are unacceptable?

Those of you who attempted to censor this very forum should accept the guilt and the responsibility for aiding and abetting those who think they have the right to limit free speech, be it on the forum, on radio or television on in print.

You asked for it; do you have the courage to fight it now?

Amicus

*taking notes*

Thanks Ami, this is going into my novel pretty much verbatim.

 

[stephen55]

which helped, or hurt, their ratings, I wonder?

does any radio station have to abide by this ruling? i think not, eh.

From what I read, at first it was a happening!! Then it got tedious. Then someone complained...to the CBSC, not because of the lyrics, but because of the tedium.

As for the powers of the CBSC, from what I understand, they do have a great deal of sway when it comes to licensing radio and television stations. Or make that re-licensing. As far as I know, the only stations that have ever been shut down by the CBSC have been small, rabidly racist stations that were merely a front for groups such as The Aryan Nations.

I haven't heard a thing about Money For Nothing in the Canadian media for the past week and I doubt I will. One thing about Canada (eh) is that up here we have a long standing tradition of Sober Second Thought. (Seriously!) My guess is that someone, likely a Deputy Minister (unelected and therefore fearless) had a chat with the CBSC and suggested that if this was how they spent their time, that perhaps an audit of their funding was in order.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Oh ,come on now, that's so sensible!

Where's the drama? Where's the Llama?

What will the old coots have to holler about?

 

[stephen55]

Oh ,come on now, that's so sensible!

Where's the drama? Where's the Llama?

What will the old coots have to holler about?

Ask ami.

 

[stephen55]

Those of you who attempted to censor this very forum should accept the guilt and the responsibility for aiding and abetting those who think they have the right to limit free speech, be it on the forum, on radio or television on in print.
Amicus

ami, just for fun, who has attempted to censor this forum?

I, for one, have tried to point out your moronicity. (1.moronicity (n.) The degree to which one is a moron.~Can you believe the moronicity of that guy?) Yes, ami, I can.

That doesn't mean I have attempted to censor you.

Ridicule you...yes

Censor you...no.

 

[Stella_Omega]

That would be me, who has often pointed out that this forum would be better served without all the political threads-- not that they should disappear, but that lit needs a political and current events forum.

And sometimes I tell ami to shut the fuck up, and that's censorship of his precious words. But I don't do that right now, because I'm basing a character on him.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I don't believe this thread is out of place on this forum. It is, after all, about censorship, which concerns us, and is about a sexual epithet, which also concerns us.

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

'golden boys' the Russian term for gay men.

Amicus

Er, sorry, but this isn't quite right.

It may sound like "golden boy," but you're actually hearing the adjective golubóy, or pale blue, though you are correct that it only applies to gay men (and is a bit dated, I think).

 

[stephen55]

Er, sorry, but this isn't quite right.

It may sound like "golden boy," but you're actually hearing the adjective golubóy, or pale blue, though you are correct that it only applies to gay men (and is a bit dated, I think).

Damn!!

You mean ami didn't get his facts straight?

I sense a disturbance in THE FORCE!!

 

[SweetMerry]

Hmmm...I don't know quite how to respond to this news, though I feel like I should. If y'all will be so kind as to bear with me, I'll try to sort out my reaction.

1. Incredulity.
My first reaction was "What?!" I don't know that I've ever heard the uncensored version. Or, if I had, the offending lyrics must have not registered. I think my strongest memory of this song is being a kid and dancing around the living room singing about wanting my Mtv. So, I didn't really know what was so offensive about the song. As I read the lyrics, though, I could see how they would elicit concern.

2. Seeing both sides of the story.
I grew up in Mississippi, and now reside in Texas. There are many things I love about living in the American South. The undercurrent of fear and hate for "the other" is not one of them. Labels like faggot, nigger, and bitch are still commonly used in a derogatory way in some circles, though usually not in public. (Though I once had a boss that continually referred to the guy who tended her grounds as her "little colored fella.")

Was it the intention of the song to incite hatred? No, I don't think so. But, when I hear a word like that casually uttered, it chills me because experience has taught me that a person who uses that sort of language in everyday speech doesn't need much of an excuse to use violence to express their fear and hatred.

But, if we start laying down rules against particular songs, where does it end? Freedom of speech is vital to a healthy society. To be honest, though, it's not as if radio wasn't already censored. I'm sure all of us can rattle off a list of beloved songs that will never get radio play because of "offensive" language or themes that challenge the main stream ideals.

3. Frustration, or just a "facepalm" reaction at the choice of song.
If this organization is going to start censoring songs because their content could be construed as hate related, this was a poor way to start. There are so many songs out there that portray mental, emotional, and physical harm to a number of groups. Songs that portray women as possessions abound, as well as songs that advocate violence. (This is not an attack on rap music, btw. For example: I have trouble listening to "Santeria" by Sublime because of the lyrics where he threatens to beat his ex(?) girlfriend and kill the guy she's with.)

So, ya, I think that's about it. I'm now stepping down off this soap box I seem to have found myself on. (How did that get here, anyway? I don't remember ordering a case of Irish Spring.)

 

[Stella_Omega]

But, if we start laying down rules against particular songs, where does it end? Freedom of speech is vital to a healthy society. To be honest, though, it's not as if radio wasn't already censored. I'm sure all of us can rattle off a list of beloved songs that will never get radio play because of "offensive" language or themes that challenge the main stream ideals.

Everyone agrees that freedom of speech is vital to a healthy society, but I want someone to tell me why the word "faggot" must be protected in a pop song.

The freedom of speech that must be protected includes the freedom to speak out about governmental wrongdoing, for instance. It includes the freedom to speak about the love we hold for our partners and family. It's important to be able to speak up when someone is making a thundering ass of themselves-- and to be allowed to disagree with one another's opinions. You can not be thrown in jail for speaking your mind. That's what freedom of speech is.

In what way does retaining the word faggot-- in a thirty-year-old New wave song with almost no retention-- enhance our actual freedom of speech?

Banning the song now is typically dumb move, but I would hope that pop musicians will find different words for the next round of social commentary.

 

[1sickbastard]

So a private entity decided to self censor a song.

So what, big deal.

Private entities self censor all the time, from a late night talk show that cuts an entire segment from a particular commedian, to individuals in their everyday speech.

The important thing to remember here, is that the company wasn't forced to censor the song by the gov't.