The Country Music Association has backtracked on its initial request to journalists covering next week’s award ceremony to refrain from questions about the Las Vegas shootings.
The annual media guidelines circulated to the press Thursday night included the provision that media “refrain from focusing coverage” on the red carpet or in the backstage press room “on the Las Vegas tragedy, gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like.” Those who strayed from the guidelines would have their credential “reviewed and potentially revoked via security escort.”
A swift backlash, led by longtime show co-host Brad Paisley, flooded social media, and Friday afternoon, the CMAs revised their guidelines and removed the restrictive policy.
The new guidelines were accompanied by an apology statement:
The CMA Awards will air live from Nashville at 8 p.m. Nov. 8. I will be on site for live coverage from the red carpet and press room, so make sure to check The Music Scene blog and social media for updates.
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