"Money for Nothing" Banned in Canada

[jsteele]

I'm exaggerating a bit in the subject line, but the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) has ruled that the unedited version of Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" may not be played on radio stations in Canada because it contains three uses of the "F-term" (slur for gay people).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jan/17/dire-straits-money-nothing-banned

We recently had a discussion about removing the "n-word" from Huckleberry Finn. For the record, I don't think that change is a good idea. I also don't like the idea of banning this song from the radio (in it's unedited form). However, in both cases I can understand how some people (even those who are not members of the slurred population) could be offended by the original versions. I am also not aware -- now that I think about it -- if "Money for Nothing" is played in its unedited form on American radio.

I don't think we should all go around willy-nilly using words to hurt and/or humiliate others, but I sort of feel we are neutering our language. This is especially true when the words are used in artistic circumstances such as songs and novels. But, I'm prepared to be convinced otherwise, which is why I chose not to use the word in question in this post. But, what do others think?

[Anonymous]

that f word doesn't bother me, but the true f word does, and if the first "f" word is considered obscene by Canada, then I agree with them that it shouldnt be played over the airwaves. we don't allow songs on the radio in the USA that contain any of the curse words deemed unsuitable by society for public consumption.

that isn't censorship, since you (I am assuming) can still buy/download, etc., the true song in Canada with all of the original unedited lyrics. Just like I doubt that play GNR (or rap) songs on the radio with the N word.

to me, the greater issue is the ever-expanding list of words that are considered offensive. hard to keep track of them all.

[Anonymous]

More like diluting the language.

[Anonymous]

I saw the title of this thread and immediately thought "I bet it's b/c of the f-word". I don't know what counts as "American" radio, but I sure heard the unedited song on one of the XM channels just this past weekend. Great song BTW. And FWIW, I think the use of the f-word in this instance amounts to social criticism and not used frivolously, so it doesn't bother me. But it would bother me in most other circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:that f word doesn't bother me, but the true f word does, and if the first "f" word is considered obscene by Canada, then I agree with them that it shouldnt be played over the airwaves. we don't allow songs on the radio in the USA that contain any of the curse words deemed unsuitable by society for public consumption.

that isn't censorship, since you (I am assuming) can still buy/download, etc., the true song in Canada with all of the original unedited lyrics. Just like I doubt that play GNR (or rap) songs on the radio with the N word.

to me, the greater issue is the ever-expanding list of words that are considered offensive. hard to keep track of them all.

Banning something from radio falls under censorship. The fact that a work can be obtained from another medium does not satisfy 1st amendment protections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:that f word doesn't bother me, but the true f word does, and if the first "f" word is considered obscene by Canada, then I agree with them that it shouldnt be played over the airwaves. we don't allow songs on the radio in the USA that contain any of the curse words deemed unsuitable by society for public consumption.

that isn't censorship, since you (I am assuming) can still buy/download, etc., the true song in Canada with all of the original unedited lyrics. Just like I doubt that play GNR (or rap) songs on the radio with the N word.

to me, the greater issue is the ever-expanding list of words that are considered offensive. hard to keep track of them all.

Banning something from radio falls under censorship. The fact that a work can be obtained from another medium does not satisfy 1st amendment protections.

first amendment carves out for obscenity, as I'm sure you know.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Banning something from radio falls under censorship. The fact that a work can be obtained from another medium does not satisfy 1st amendment protections.

This is my understanding as well, with the caveat that Canada doesn't have a First Amendment. But, I didn't use the term "censorship" in the first place.

Another thing occurred to me. In the song, Mark Knopfler is singing from the perspective of a guy in an appliance showroom. In reality, while he might not have had an earring and makeup, he certainly was on MTV and probably was a millionaire with his own jet airplane. You might say the lyrics were aimed at himself. He wasn't putting down gay people, but rather people who use that term to slur gay people. Simply banning words without reference to context can result in the opposite of the intended goal -- unless the goal is particularly simplistic (our ears are too tender for certain words).

[Anonymous]

Jeff, I've always thought that about the song - he was talking about himself and other stars and putting words in the someone else's mouth. It certainly has an element of social commentary.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Banning something from radio falls under censorship. The fact that a work can be obtained from another medium does not satisfy 1st amendment protections.

This is my understanding as well, with the caveat that Canada doesn't have a First Amendment. But, I didn't use the term "censorship" in the first place.

Another thing occurred to me. In the song, Mark Knopfler is singing from the perspective of a guy in an appliance showroom. In reality, while he might not have had an earring and makeup, he certainly was on MTV and probably was a millionaire with his own jet airplane. You might say the lyrics were aimed at himself. He wasn't putting down gay people, but rather people who use that term to slur gay people. Simply banning words without reference to context can result in the opposite of the intended goal -- unless the goal is particularly simplistic (our ears are too tender for certain words).

Agreed - that's what I meant by social criticism.

[Anonymous]

I just looked up the song on eh hem...wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_for_Nothing_(song)
It says that Mark Knopfler was in a TV store when he actually heard a guy say these things about rock stars.
I heard the song the other day and I was surprised that they edited out that f word. I don't recall what they replaced it with. I was listening to 100.3FM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, I've always thought that about the song - he was talking about himself and other stars and putting words in the someone else's mouth. It certainly has an element of social commentary.

Ha ha. I thought he was referring to Prince! Who I love.....

Their country, their standards of radio censorship.

[Anonymous]

For the record, they cut the verse on American radio. i just listened to it today.

Perhaps the government understands the use but also knows the public is too dumb to realize that the lyrics are mocking the characters. After all, Reagan used Born in the USA as an inspirational campaign song.

[Anonymous]

Canada has very different freedom of speech laws, and we Canadians appreciate this difference from the US. In Canada it is illegal to spread hate, and say things which put down groups of people. The 'F' word is hate and Canadians don't care about freedom of speech if you're going to say something hateful. Canada views the gay community very differently from Americans and it is offence so call anyone the 'F' word.

Written by a very proud Canadian who loves their country, but is also grateful to live in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:that f word doesn't bother me, but the true f word does, and if the first "f" word is considered obscene by Canada, then I agree with them that it shouldnt be played over the airwaves. we don't allow songs on the radio in the USA that contain any of the curse words deemed unsuitable by society for public consumption.

that isn't censorship, since you (I am assuming) can still buy/download, etc., the true song in Canada with all of the original unedited lyrics. Just like I doubt that play GNR (or rap) songs on the radio with the N word.

to me, the greater issue is the ever-expanding list of words that are considered offensive. hard to keep track of them all.

Banning something from radio falls under censorship. The fact that a work can be obtained from another medium does not satisfy 1st amendment protections.

Canada does not have a first amendment, Canada is not the US and has their own set of laws and protections. In Canada you are not allowed to just go around and say whatever you want, and spread hate. Canada is a very peaceful and respectful society, and frankly no one cares about first amendment rights, if it means you can go around and call people the 'F' word. I'm very proud Canada banned that song, if it offends people.

[Anonymous]

What about the Redskins? Think Native Americans are still trying to get that name out of the public arena.