CMA Walks Back Media Restriction For Red Carpet, Backstage

Amidst a slew of social media backlash, the Country Music Association (CMA) has apologized and lifted the restriction it revealed on Thursday, Nov. 2, which directed media not to discuss hot-topic issues on its red carpet and backstage media corral at next week’s 51st CMA Awards show.

The CMA threatened to revoke credentials and provide a security escort for media if such reporting strayed to particular subjects, outright naming the “Las Vegas tragedy [at the Route 91 Harvest festival], gun rights [or] political affiliations.”

CMA Awards co-host Brad Paisley took to his Twitter calling the guidelines “ridiculous and unfair” just before the CMA sent a release lifting its guidelines, which it defended by saying “they were created with the best of intentions to honor and celebrate Country Music.”

I’m sure the CMA will do the right thing and rescind these ridiculous and unfair press guidelines. In 3…2….1…..

— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) November 3, 2017

Artists like Maren Morris chimed in on the social site.

Country music has always been about the truth. Out of respect for the Las Vegas victims, let’s keep it that way.

— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) November 3, 2017

Artist Ryan Adams mocked the restriction with a list of Hee Haw-esque stereotypes that hypothetically would be approved to discuss on the CMA red carpet.

Approved topics:
-Wagon Wheels
-Bacon
-Repurposed barn wood
-Cussin’ at snakes
-Cammo bedsheets
-Chewin on dirt clogs
-Shortshorts
-Dangits https://t.co/nXqgDxinTW

— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) November 3, 2017

Now, one day after the guidelines were issued, the CMA heeded the social backlash and reversed course, now lifting restrictions.

CMA apologizes for the recently distributed restrictions in the CMA Awards media guidelines, which have since been lifted. The sentiment was not to infringe and was created with the best of intentions to honor and celebrate Country Music.

The CMA’s original restriction notice, sent to media on November 2, read:

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. It’s vital, more so this year than in year’s 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. It’s an evening to honor the outstanding achievements in Country Music of the previous year and we want everyone to feel comfortable talking to press about this exciting time. If you are reported as straying from these guidelines, your credential will be reviewed and potentially revoked via security escort. We appreciate your cooperation in advance. If you have any concerns on your coverage plans, please reach out to the CMA Communications team in advance so we can be a great partner as we celebrate The 51st Annual CMA Awards.

The 51st Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena next Wednesday, November 8, on ABC.