Dire Straits' 'Money for Nothing' Ban in Canada to Be Reviewed

Canadian radio listeners may hear Dire Straits' controversial 'Money for Nothing' blasting across the airways once again if the nation's broadcast regulator overturns the recent decision to ban the English rockers' classic hit.

According to the CRTC, they have received more than 250 letters since the ban was announced on Jan. 12, and today, in a letter sent to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council today, urged the CBCS to reconsider blacklisting the 1985 Grammy-winning track.

"Given the exceptional nature of this situation, the Commission has asked the CBSC to appoint a panel with a national composition to review the complaints," wrote CRTC Secretary General Robert Morin, who asked that the age and origin of 'Money for Nothing,' as well as its intended message, be considered in the evaluation.

As Spinner previously reported, the song -- a staple on rock radio and classic rock stations for more than 25 years -- was deemed by the CBSC to violate the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Code of Ethics and Equitable Portrayal Code because of its inclusion of the word "faggot." Last February, a listener filed a complaint after hearing the unedited, unabridged version on Newfoundland radio station CHOZ-FM.

Watch Dire Straits Perform 'Money for Nothing' Live
In the letter, Morin noted the level of public outrage over the ruling and expressed concern that there was confusion "that it was the Commission, and not the CBSC, that determined that the version of the Dire Straits song containing the contested derogatory word was inappropriate for radio airplay.

"The volume of letters and perceived overlap of responsibilities between the commission and the CBSC has created uncertainty for the public and for radio stations requiring information on the continued appropriateness of playing that version of the song."

In the wake of the Jan. 12 announcement, Dire Straits and their fans have been up in arms over the ban, with keyboardist Guy Fletcher taking to his website to call the ruling "unbelievable" and "a waste of paper."