MTV has banned music videos it deems to be violent for the duration of the
US led military campaign against Iraq.
Attempting to reciprocate the somber mood of their audience, MTV executives
told World Entertainment News Network that “videos with words such as
‘bomb,’ ‘missile,’ ‘war’ or other sensitive words in the artist on song
title should not be shown.”
“We’re screening videos with an eye towards current events to make sure
whatever we play is sensitive and appropriate,” an MTV spokesperson told
Pagesix.
Such a broad definition of violence may prove problematic for Hip Hop videos
in the vein of Nas’ “Made you Look,” or 50 Cent’s “Wanksta.” Currently, the
playlist of MTV’s hip hop video show Direct Effect is relatively benign in
respect to the new policy. This will potentially affect Hip Hop videos in
the near future.
An MTV spokesperson said, “In common with
other broadcasters, I think we should be responsive to audience sensitivity
in this time of war.”
