Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site harvard.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!lo 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