Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood appear onstage at the 2016 CMA Awards. (Photo: Taylor Hill via Getty Images)
UPDATE: 1:03 p.m. — The Country Music Association released a statement Friday lifting its previous reporter restrictions.
“CMA apologizes for the recently distributed restrictions in the CMA Awards media guidelines, which have since been lifted,” the statement read. “The sentiment was not to infringe and was created with the best of intentions to honor and celebrate Country Music.”
PREVIOUSLY:
A list of guidelines released by the Country Music Association for the upcoming CMA Awards urges reporters to stay away from certain topics, like guns and politics, or face getting kicked out.
By accepting a media credential, reporters agree to “refrain from focusing [coverage on] ... gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like” to make attendees “feel comfortable” at the CMA Awards, taking place Nov. 8 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The rule was set following the Las Vegas shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival last month during a Jason Aldean performance, which left almost 60 people dead and hundreds injured, according to the media guidelines release.
In light of recent events, and out of respect for the artists directly or indirectly involved, please refrain from focusing your coverage of the CMA Awards Red Carpet and Backstage Media Center on the Las Vegas tragedy, gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like. It’s vital, more so this year than in year’s past due to the sensitivities at hand, that the CMA Awards be a celebration of Country Music and the artists that make this genre so great. It’s an evening to honor the outstanding achievements in Country Music of the previous year and we want everyone to feel comfortable talking to press about this exciting time. If you are reported as straying from these guidelines, your credential will be reviewed and potentially revoked via security escort. We appreciate your cooperation in advance. If you have any concerns on your coverage plans, please reach out to the CMA Communications team in advance so we can be a great partner as we celebrate “The 51st Annual CMA Awards.”
(Photo: Country Music Association)
Currently, the press list includes journalists from major outlets, including ABC, NBC, The Los Angeles Times, Associated Press and USA Today.
Rolling Stone spoke with Brad Paisley, who is once again set to host this year’s awards show alongside Carrie Underwood, about taking the stage after the Las Vegas massacre and how to properly handle it.
“We’re not going to ignore it, but we’re not going to also dwell on that,” he said. “We have to make sure we honor those we’ve lost, but we also [have to] celebrate this music, which lives on, and do a good job having the heart we need to have on that night. And also the theme of the show this year is very much about unity and coming together as a format.”
On Friday, Paisely tweeted his disapproval of the guidelines.
I'm sure the CMA will do the right thing and rescind these ridiculous and unfair press guidelines. In 3...2....1.....
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Actress Jennifer Garner attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
THE 50th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS - The 50th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, broadcasts live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 2 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (Image Group LA/ABC via Getty Images) CARRIE UNDERWOOD
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Singer-songwriter Reba McEntire attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/FilmMagic)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Actors Wendi McLendon-Covey and Hayley Orrantia attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Kelsea Ballerini (R) and Morgan Evans attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Actress Sharon Stone and sister Kelly Stone attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/FilmMagic)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Actresses Jennifer Garner and Kimberly Williams-Paisley attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum, Kelli Cashiola, Chris Tyrrell, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Cassie McConnell attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Singer-songwriter Luke Bryan attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Nicole Kidman attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/FilmMagic)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Singer-songwriters Anderson East and Miranda Lambert attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
THE 50th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS - The 50th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, broadcasts live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 2 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (Image Group LA/ABC via Getty Images) MARTINA MCBRIDE
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Singer-songwriter Thomas Rhett and Lauren Gregory attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/FilmMagic)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: (L-R) Olympic gymnasts Laurie Hernandez, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Madison Kocian, and Gabby Douglas attend the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/FilmMagic)
Singer Dwight Yoakam and guest arrive at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., November 2, 2016. REUTERS/Jamie Gilliam
Musical band Old Dominion arrives at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., November 2, 2016. REUTERS/Jamie Gilliam
Singer Kelsea Ballerini arrives at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., November 2, 2016. REUTERS/Jamie Gilliam
Singer Hillary Scott from the musical group Lady Antebellum arrives at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., November 2, 2016. REUTERS/Jamie Gilliam
Singer Kimberly Schlapman arrives at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., November 2, 2016. REUTERS/Jamie Gilliam
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood speak onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/FilmMagic)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Miranda Lambert performs onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Carrie Underwood performs onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
THE 50th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS - The 50th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, broadcasts live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 2 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (Image Group LA/ABC via Getty Images) HALEY ORRANTIA, OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN, WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY
THE 50th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS - The 50th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, broadcasts live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 2 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (Image Group LA/ABC via Getty Images) KELSEA BALLERINI
THE 50th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS - The 50th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, broadcasts live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 2 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (Image Group LA/ABC via Getty Images) ELLE KING, DIERKS BENTLEY
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Jason Aldean and Ronnie Dunn perform onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Faith Hill speaks onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/FilmMagic)
THE 50th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS - The 50th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, broadcasts live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 2 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (Image Group LA/ABC via Getty Images) CARRIE UNDERWOOD, RANDY TRAVIS, BRAD PAISLEY, REBA MCENTIRE
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