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From: lo@harvard.ARPA (Bert S.F. Lo)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: MTV Censorship
Message-ID: <217@harvard.ARPA>
Date: Sat, 15-Dec-84 20:22:45 EST
Article-I.D.: harvard.217
Posted: Sat Dec 15 20:22:45 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 17-Dec-84 03:48:46 EST
References: <2639@dartvax.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Harvard University
Lines: 39

> You're planning on doing nasty things to MTV because they aren't showing
> your favourite video?  Oh come on now!
> 
> Okay, let's say that MTV is specifically saying that "No, we won't show this
> video because it has gays in it."  So?  It's THEIR network.  Their music
> director (or video director) had to make a decision.

Didn't it used to be the case that MTV would not show black music videos?
I think they said that it didn't appeal to their audience even though most
of their audience hadn't had much exposure to black music. Now, they put on
quite a bit of it because the music began to sell, without the aid of MTV.
I'm not sure it's quite the same story here since we're talking about the
content of the video, not the music. But the point is that a lot of black
groups made a big noise about it and they didn't get anywhere. Instead,
little local video shows played the videos and got the audiences interested
to the point that MTV was "forced" to take notice and play the black music
videos.

So what's the point? If the black groups couldn't get MTV to change their
minds, neither can the gay groups. I don't think it really matters if MTV
plays it or not. I doubt an audience that likes to see women in bondage
would like to see gays portrayed as "regular" human beings. Now, if the
video were filled with "fag bashing" ...

_________________________Bert S.F. Lo (lo@harvard.ARPA)_________________________

"Contempt in your eyes as I turn to kiss his lips
 Broken I lie all my feelings denied blood on your fist

 Can you tell me why

 You in your false securities
 Tear up my life condemning me
 Call me an illness call me a sin
 Never feel guilty never give in

 Tell me why

 You and me together fighting for our love" - "Why" by Bronski Beat