Singer Vincent Gross claims that public broadcaster SWR has prohibited the play of his song - Musician Vincent Gross alleges SWR has prohibited his track from airplay
In an unexpected turn of events, popular German singer Vincent Gross has accused the South West Broadcasting Corporation (SWR) of censoring his song "Camping" during the live show "Immer wieder sonntags". Gross claimed that the lyrics were deemed too suggestive, leading to the last-minute replacement of the song with another one of his, "Ouzo".
During rehearsals for the show, Gross performed "Camping", a yet-to-be-released song, which he described as having sexually ambiguous lyrics. However, there is no credible information or reports confirming that SWR banned "Camping" due to explicit lyrics on the show.
The SWR spokesperson, when approached for comment, stated that the editorial team selects and is responsible for the titles, ensuring that artists and songs fit the show. They did not address Gross's accusation directly but did mention that "Ouzo" was well-received by the live audience last Sunday.
"Ouzo", a popular song by Gross, was performed instead of "Camping" during the live show. The upbeat tune, known for its high recognition value and noticeable good vibes, was well-received by the audience. Several media outlets had previously reported the positive reception of "Ouzo".
Information from the German Press Agency suggests that the station had concerns about previously unreleased lyrics that were deemed unsuitable for a Sunday morning broadcast. Despite this, the SWR did not mention any concerns about "Ouzo".
Gross, who is known for his pop and schlager music, typically family-friendly, had to perform "Ouzo" instead. The singer has not shared any specific source or claim for the alleged ban, and as of now, no evidence supports that the song was banned for explicit lyrics on that show.
The SWR did not address Gross's accusation of banning "Camping" directly, but they did not mention any concerns about "Ouzo" either. The incident has sparked a debate about artistic freedom and censorship in the German media landscape.
- The Commission, in light of the controversy surrounding the censoring of Vincent Gross's song "Camping," has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of artistic freedom in the entertainment industry.
- Amidst the debate about artistic freedom and censorship in German media, celebrities like Vincent Gross and his music have become an unexpected voice calling for a more open and transparent approach to entertainment programming.
