The union representing musicians who work at The Late Present with Stephen Colbert has condemned CBS’ cancellation of this system and is looking on different networks “to state, loudly and clearly, that they won’t permit themselves to be equally intimidated.”
“Now, extra urgently than ever, is a time for braveness, not cowardice,” stated Robert Suttmann, President of Native 802 American Federation of Musicians, in a prolonged and strongly worded assertion.
CBS just lately introduced that The Late Present, which routinely mocks and criticizes President Donald Trump, will stop manufacturing in Could. The community insists that the cancellation was due solely to monetary causes, however many observers, together with Colbert and fellow late-night hosts, have made no secret of their suspicions that the transfer is related to CBS guardian firm Paramount’s big-money merger with Skydance, which bought remaining FCC approval on Thursday. CBS just lately settled the $16 million 60 Minutes lawsuit with Donald Trump, which many authorized consultants consider to have been meritless.
Along with the late evening host solidarity, the cancellation additionally has drawn outrage from protesters. Now, Native 802 is including its voice to the outrage.
“The cancellation of The Late Present with Stephen Colbert with out clear clarification is deeply regarding and raises severe questions concerning the broader implications totally free expression and inventive freedom,” stated Suttmann.
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He continued: “Reside music has been an integral a part of late-night exhibits for many years – serving as an important platform for musicians to succeed in audiences, showcase their artistry, and take part in cultural dialogue. Colbert’s cancellation threatens not solely the livelihoods of the world-class musicians who carry out on the present, it additionally undermines the elemental ideas of free speech and inventive expression which might be cornerstone values of our trade and our nation.”
“We have to be very sincere about what’s taking place right here: the President of the US himself has stated he hopes he performed a task within the choice, and has warned NBC and ABC that their late evening hosts are subsequent.”
The union vows to “take no matter steps are obligatory to guard our employees.”
Right here is Suttmann’s full assertion:
The cancellation of The Late Present with Stephen Colbert with out clear clarification is deeply regarding and raises severe questions concerning the broader implications totally free expression and inventive freedom.
Reside music has been an integral a part of late-night exhibits for many years – serving as an important platform for musicians to succeed in audiences, showcase their artistry, and take part in cultural dialogue. Colbert’s cancellation threatens not solely the livelihoods of the world-class musicians who carry out on the present, it additionally undermines the elemental ideas of free speech and inventive expression which might be cornerstone values of our trade and our nation.
We have to be very sincere about what’s taking place right here: the President of the US himself has stated he hopes he performed a task within the choice, and has warned NBC and ABC that their late evening hosts are subsequent.
Because of this it’s critical for NBC and ABC to state, loudly and clearly, that they won’t permit themselves to be equally intimidated. Now, extra urgently than ever, is a time for braveness, not cowardice.
CBS’s choice is about far more than only a late evening speak present. When an administration tries to silence criticism and dissent by asserting its energy, all of us must take discover.
When censorship is used as a device to quash free speech, we should get up collectively. What’s taking place now shouldn’t be solely incorrect, it goes towards what we should stand for as a nation.
Native 802 stands by our members and in addition in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in labor who work on The Late Present with Stephen Colbert. We’ll take no matter steps are obligatory to guard our employees.
