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And Finally
Canadian regulator calls for review of Money For Nothing ban
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 24 January 2011
The Canadian Radio-Television & Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC, which is the country’s media regulator, has called on the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council to review its previously reported decision to ban the playing of Dire Straits song ‘Money For Nothing’ in its unedited form on radio stations in Canada.
As previously reported, the CBSC banned the 80s track after receiving a listener complaint that it uses the word “faggot” three times. Since the ban came into effect numerous radio stations have criticised the ban, pointing out the ‘Money For Nothing’ lyrics are meant to be the words of an unseemly character who is basically mocked by the song, and therefore use of the word ‘faggot’ isn’t overtly offensive. But the CBSC has defended its decision, despite various radio stations ignoring the ban, and ‘Money For Nothing’ therefore probably getting more airplay now than for years.
The CBSC is a non-statutory body that is recognised by both the CRTC, a government agency, and the country’s commercial radio sector as an upholder of broadcasting standards, but the Dire Straits decision is affecting its credibility with some of its stakeholders.
Which is presumably why the CRTC is suggesting the CBSC give the ‘Money For Nothing’ issue more consideration. Or it’s possible they are just a little annoyed that some people have got it into their heads that it is them – the Commission rather that the Standards Council – that has instigated the ban, a spokesman said they’d received 250 letters on the issue. The Commission has said it is forwarding the complaint letters on to the Council, to aid their review of their decision.
