The Country Music Association has apologized and lifted media guidelines for this year’s award show following backlash.
In a set of media guidelines distributed to credentialed journalist covering the award show, the CMAs specifically asked reporters to stay away from the "Las Vegas tragedy, gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like.”
Following widespread critcism, CMA officials released a statement Friday:
"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."
Brad Paisley, who is hosting for the 10th year with Carrie Underwood, tweeted out earlier in the morning that he hopes the CMAs will "do the right thing" and "rescind these ridiculous and unfair press guidelines."
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
Bravo CMA awards for doing the right thing & apologizing for this mistake. All are welcome, let's have a great show.
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) November 3, 2017
Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Maren Morris also joined the conversation. She tweeted out saying that country music has always been about truth and it should stay that way to honor those impacted in Las Vegas.
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
The shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival last month, while artist Jason Aldean was onstage, is still fresh in the mind of many of the nominees as well as the country audience.
