The Country Music Association has issued a warning to members of the media ahead of the CMA Awards that will take place in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday.
The Association outlined some restrictions in its media guidelines asking that members of the media refrain from asking questions about guns and politics out of respect for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting and the artists involved, Fox News reports.
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“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,” the guidelines state. “It’s vital, more so this year than in years 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.”
The CMA Awards are set to take place a little more than a month after the attack on the Route 91 Harvest Festival where many of the biggest stars in country music performed. Media members who choose to violate the CMA’s restrictions could have their credentials revoked and be escorted out by security, according to the Associated Press.
Country singer’s have banded together in support of the victims and their families in the weeks following the incident through benefit concerts, donations and tribute performances. At a media preview on Thursday, CMA Awards hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley said they want to honor the victims of the Las Vegas shooting at the upcoming show.
