Radio One ban “faggot”
Radio One have banned the word ‘faggot’ from the airwaves, including the reference used in ‘Fairytale of New York’ by the Pogues & Kirsty McGowan.
This ditty has been blaring out in shopping centres, pubs and bars and has there been great uproar from the gay community? No. Surely the context of words such as these is what counts?
I’m now playing, and singing along very loudly to (with my apologies to Bearwood), the original version.
December 18, 2007 at 12:11 pm
A bit daft really. It’s an old song, set in the context of a much older story.
I wouldn’t mind so much but if we’re going to go this way can we stop all that ho-beating hip hop crap too.
Utterly moronic. For the most part I stand up for the PC brigade but this is a decision taken without a real thought - not least, as you say, there has hardly been an uproar about the lyrics to date.
December 18, 2007 at 12:29 pm
As a gay man I don’t find the song particularly offensive. In fact I think it’s the best Christmas song ever written. I’d be OK if the radio station played the song with just the word itself removed - rather than banning the whole song. I can appreciate context but I have to say that the ‘f’ word does leave me feeling uncomfortable. Not a feeling that anyone who isn’t gay could understand, I imagine.
December 18, 2007 at 12:59 pm
As I understand the single word is just being dubbed out rather than the song banned in its entirety.
December 18, 2007 at 1:18 pm
The song, including the bit with the word’ faggot’ is even being used on a well known digital channel to advertise it’s christmas schedule. I’m gay and I don’t find it offensive in the slightest - in fact I don’t know anyone in Britain who uses the word anymore. It’s more of an American thing isn’t it?
December 18, 2007 at 7:35 pm
According to News24 the “ban” has been lifted. I wonder if they’ll dub out “arse” in the song next for fear of offending someone?!?