Neither MuchMusic nor the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council think using violence against men to be funny is surprising. We are not surprised. But we don’t think it’s funny. Please support our work to respond to misandry in pop culture. Visit equalitycanada.com/support-us to join or donate to our Campaign to Establish the Canadian Centre for Men and Families

Background:

A promo spot currently airing on MuchMusic in Canada for the purposes of advertising a “MuchMusic Video Dance Party” depicts a teenage boy being slapped in the face by three teenage girls.

A CAFE member contacted MuchMusic about this matter. In their response letter, MuchMusic/Bell Media stated that “this comedic depiction of a mildly violent gesture (is not) problematic” because “it’s implied that he did something deliberately obnoxious to warrant a slap from three separate women.” They also added that “we do not feel in this case that violence or abuse is condoned, nor do we think our audience would be unduly surprised or upset by the scene.”

The issue was then brought to the CBSC (Canadian Broadcast Standards Council) which rejected the request for further adjudication and stated, in part, “Although hitting someone is not always acceptable in such circumstances in real life, the slaps were not unexpected in the context of this promo’s plotline. Although the promo did not necessarily present this violence in a negative light, neither was there anything that highlighted the women’s actions as positive. In addition, the victim was not seriously injured. The promo therefore, did not amount to the sanction, promotion or glamorization of violence against men under the CAB Violence Code.” To read the entire CBSC response letter click here

MuchMusic would never produce a promo that showed a teenage girl being slapped by three teenage boys and justify it as humourous. Rightly so. Yet they condone and defend their depiction of a teenage boy being assaulted.

The station is actively involved in campaigns against bullying and is a long time supporter of Kids Help Phone in Canada. Both of these initiatives assist children and teens who are the victims of assault. Yet they produce content that makes light of assault against teenage boys.

MuchMusic’s target audience is children, teens, and young adults. They are communicating to youth that violence against teenage boys is not only acceptable, but that it is funny.