MTV Controversy

Also, a little FYI for you to do with what you would like. At present time MTV states they do not want to play BSB's music because they do not want pop music to make a comeback. Their quote is that they don't want to open Pandora's Box. Anything the fans could do to support the boys and not to give MTV the power to decide that what the world should and should not hear. This is the second time MTV has tried to hold down the BSB from becoming the best that they can be. If there is anything you can do to help, it would be greatly appreciated.

Now, I know I run a fan fiction site, and I know that, as a fanfic writer, it's not my job to get involved in industry politics, but...as a fan, I feel it's my obligation to let you guys know about this. Why?

Whether they like it or not, MTV is a "pop" music station. It's their job to deliver a heaping helping of popular music to entertain their target audience. If the target audience wants to hear Slipknot, then MTV plays Slipknot. If the target audience wants to hear 50 Cent, then MTV plays 50 Cent. If MTV doesn't play what the people want to hear, then all those high-fallutin' people up at the network are out of a job and, therefore, out of a paycheck.

Fact is, MTV Networks can promote an artist to the point of mass popularity, but they don't have the right to shape the face of music. The face of music should be--and IS, for the most part--determined solely by those who listen and love it; the fans.

Not only that, but a show like TRL (which claims to function solely through input from the MTV audience) has a responsibility to play the music that the audience is demanding to hear. If there are a thousand Backstreet Boys fans voting their little fingers off, then MTV is obligated to play the video--whether they like it or not. Besides, if they're playing the freakin' Hilary Duff video, then they have no right to wax poetic about a fear of opening Pandora's box. If Pandora had a box full of teen pop, Hilary Duff's fresh, smiling face would be modge-podged to the cover. Let's face it, kids...it don't get much more pop than that.

Even if you're not a Backstreet fan, you deserve to make your voice heard. In limiting their playlist, MTV is practicing censorship of the entire industry. They're limiting the opportunities given to any "up and coming" artists that may adhere to a certain musical stereotype. Those artists deserve to be heard.

Do your part. Email MTV Networks at http://www.mtv.com/news/youtellus/ or visit http://www.bsbweirdworld.com to see how you can get involved and make a difference. If the station is claiming to play your requests, then gosh darn it, they sure as hell should be playing them.