Whatever happened to free speech?

[Imran Siddiqui]

People have the option to buy what they want, but I don't see how the stations have any right to refuse them airplay.

Um... because radio stations have the option to play what they want, perhaps? This isn't publically owned radio or anything. Private radio stations want to exercise thier own free speech rights.

Is Pat Robertson being refused airtime?

Actually he is, which is why he had to make his own tv station. He wasn't getting airtime on CNN or MSNBC, except for being mocked, so he went and made his own... Are you saying the Dixie Chicks should make their own radio station?

[SlowwHand]

Well-said, Ming. Well-said!

[Japher]

The "Chick" shoot herself in the foot, potential suicide for her career, seeing how the country music world is so dictated by Southern politics and mannersims.

While not as bad today as it was yesteryear, you really have to watch what you say, do, eat, look like, act, ect... in the country music world, more so than in any other genre... Rather suks, but that is the way it is.

Personally, I don't mind what they said, and I think they have the right to say. I wish they hadn't, but I will still listen to their albums. Like most Texans (Bush included), the Chicks are are just being silly and aren't watching what they are saying... now, aint that the pot calling the smoker green?

[Sinapus]

Re: Whatever happened to free speech?

Originally posted by Willem
Dixie Chicks blacklisted?

Is America suddenly developing a culture of intolerance? I thought you people took so much pride in being able to speak your minds. What the hell are you doing to yourselves?

So... freedom of speech means people are obligated to buy albums of performers. Even (or especially) if said performers express views a particular buyer disagrees with?

Do you have a problem with people expressing their views?

[Verto]

When I saw the thread's title, I was expecting something a bit more interesting, ie pertaining to the Sedition Act.

Although it's been said here before, let me just state my opinion as being the Dixie Chicks exercised their freedom of speech when they made the comment about Bush, and the fans exercised their freedom of speech by telling the Dixie Chicks to shove it, and the radio stations exercised common sense. I don't see why some people interpet this as the end of freedom.

[SlowwHand]

I'll say again. Your purchase power is a vote.
You don't like what someone says, you cast a negative vote.

[MBD]

here you go---

[Ming]

[Dis]

private radio stations go with what the fans want. The fans don't want to hear Dixie chicks. The goverment is not restricting speach.

'nuff said.

Case Closed!

I'm locking this thread now

[Jac de Molay]

Sounds like a good start. Maybe they ban All the other bands that express politically controversial viewpoints.

Perhaps a list of no-no artists and songs should be circulated as well among the radio stations like Clear Channel did after 9/11.

Glad to see free speech working so well.

[Static Universe]

Didn't I just start a thread last week that The Pretenders were being banned because of the statements of one of their members?

I'm appalled that talentless corporate super-models/singers like the Dixie Chicks are generating more discussion than a great band like The Pretenders, absolutely appalled.

[Ming]

Originally posted by DetroitDave
Glad to see free speech working so well.

Yeah... stations aren't playing what people don't want to listen to... Free Choice and Free Speech are doing just great.

[ixnay]

People are stupid, but they have their freedom to be stupid.

[SlowwHand]

Static. Goodbye, Earl is pretty funny.

[Jac de Molay]

Yeah... stations aren't playing what people don't want to listen to... Free Choice and Free Speech are doing just great.

The only problem is that it isn't audience-driven. It's the DJs and media sources that are villifying the artists.

The stations aren't are playing what people dont want to listen to, they're not playing what they dont want people to listen to.

And why stop with just one or two performers?