AT&T censor Pearl Jam, Flaming Lips?

[dan]

AT&T has a website, Blue Room, which broadcasts big concert events, such as Bonnaroo & Lollapalooza, in real time. Apparently, they're under some major heat right now for allegedly censoring political comments by Pearl Jam, The Flaming Lips, and The John Butler Trio. What do you guys make of this? I guess it's their site, they can do what they want, but does it fall under first amendment territory?

http://blog.wired.com/music/2007/08/has-att-censore.html

[theHawk]

If its AT&T's website they can edit/censor whatever the hell they want to. I don't see how it could be a First Amendment issue when nothing stopped Pearl Jam from saying whatever they wanted to. In fact, one might say it would be a violation of the First Amendment if AT&T was forced to repeat words it does not wish to reflect on them.

[dan]

Probably not. I was just wondering if anyone did think it was a 1st amendment thing.

I do think they should have to put up some sort of disclaimer along the lines of "these performances will be edited".

[glockmail]

The Man writng the checks can do whatever he damn pleases. The 1st A restricts Congress, not people or corporations.

[The ClayTaurus]

If the organizers or bonnaroo really wanted to, they had the right to ban pearl jam (or anyone) from making political statements. AT&T rebroadcasting that event certainly has no 1st ammendment obligation to play political statements... they might have a legal obligation, depending upon their agreement with the festival's organizers.

[dan]

OK, forget the 1st amendment comment, how do you feel about this in general, not in reference to the constitution?

[glockmail]

The Man writng the checks can do whatever he damn pleases.

[The ClayTaurus]

OK, forget the 1st amendment comment, how do you feel about this in general, not in reference to the constitution?I think artists should stfu about politics, unless it's a political show. Political statements get used so often that they no longer ring true. "Bush Sucks" is just another way to rake in that hippie ticket money. They're at Bonaroo. Talk about how much weed they're going to smoke; it's about as effective.

[dan]

I think artists should stfu about politics, unless it's a political show. Political statements get used so often that they no longer ring true. "Bush Sucks" is just another way to rake in that hippie ticket money. They're at Bonaroo. Talk about how much weed they're going to smoke; it's about as effective.

I tend to agree, but seriously, what the hell were they expecting from Pearl Jam? They've been very vocally anti-Bush since he was first elected, and their music has been political all the way back to Ten.