Canada Bans Dire Straits Song… 25 Years Later

Yesterday, 25 years after Dire Straits Money For Nothing released, the Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council banned the full length version of the song from Canadian radio.  Apparently a single listener to CHOZ-FM in Newfoundland complained after hearing the word ‘faggot’ in the full length version of the song on February 1st, 2010.   That one complaint has now led to a nationwide ban.  From the official statement:

The Atlantic Regional Panel concludes that the use of the word “faggot” in the song “Money for Nothing” was unacceptable for broadcast and that, by broadcasting an unedited version of the song, CHOZ-FM breached Clause 2 of the CAB Code of Ethics, and Clauses 2, 7 and 9 of the Equitable Portrayal Code.  The Panel notes parenthetically that the song would not otherwise fall afoul of any of the foregoing broadcast standards if suitably edited.

An edited down version of the song, without the word faggot, does exist but no self respecting classic rock station would play it.  Consider this one a win for the PC police, a loss for classic rock fans, and an epic fail by Canadian radio officials who just added one more item to the list of reasons you should get your music online.

Read the full CBSC ruling & release here