AT&T Censors Artists

Filed in archive Artists , Companies on August 13, 2007

The AT&T Blue Room program with concert promoter Live Nation features Internet streaming of live shows. It also features only the parts of the performances they approve.

It was first publicized that Pearl Jam's performance at Lollapalooza was stripped of anti-Bush lyrics. AT&T tried to deny the censorship. Then evidence turned up that a number of other artists have been censored as well, including Nightwatchman (Tom Morello), Lupe Fiasco, Tom Petty, Lily Allen, Ozomatli, John Butler Trio, and flaming lips.

AT&T finally admitted the practice and vowed to stop it. Tiffany O'Brien Nels, AT&T's Austin, Texas-based spokeswoman, said "It's not our intent to edit political comments in Webcasts on the Blue Room. Unfortunately, it has happened in the past in a handful of cases. We have taken steps to insure that it will not happen again."