CMA Awards Apologize for Threatening to Remove Press Asking About Gun Violence and Politics

Apology Followed Backlash

Following backlash, the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards have apologized for threatening to remove reporters who ask industry stars about “gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like.”

The Washington Post reported late Friday that the association, just days ahead of its 51st annual awards ceremony, “took preventative measures and advised reporters to stay away from sensitive topics, or they could be removed by security.”

This was, in part, due to the Las Vegas massacre just over a month ago, in which 58 Americans were murdered and over 500 more were injured at a country music concert. The massacre became the latest mass shooting to strike America, now the deadliest in modern American history and one that the president called a “very very sad day for me personally.”

As the outlet reported:

“In light of recent events, and out of respect for the artists directly or indirectly involved, please refrain from focusing your coverage of the CMA Awards Red Carpet and Backstage Media Center on the Las Vegas tragedy, gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like,” the organization said in its media guidelines, first published by Nashville Scene. “It’s vital, more so this year than in year’s [sic] past due to the sensitivities at hand, that the CMA Awards be a celebration of Country Music and the artists that make this genre so great. . . . We want everyone to feel comfortable talking to press about this exciting time.”

The memo added, “If you are reported as straying from these guidelines, your credential will be reviewed and potentially revoked via security escort.”

The announcement was quickly denounced by CMA co-host Brad Paisley, who tweeted that he was “sure the CMA will do the right thing and rescind these ridiculous and unfair press guidelines.”

The organization quickly did, releasing a statement apologizing for the rules and retracting the policy. “CMA apologizes for the recently distributed restrictions in the CMA Awards media guidelines, which have since been lifted,” the organization released in a statement. “The sentiment was not to infringe and was created with the best of intentions to honor and celebrate Country Music.”

Paisley approved. “Bravo CMA awards for doing the right thing & apologizing for this mistake,” the co-host wrote. “All are welcome, let’s have a great show.”

The CMA Awards will be held this coming Wednesday, November 8th.

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