Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Madonna goes anti-war online
Indo-Asian News Service Washington, March 26
Madonna's new anti-war single will be available next month online only, reports UPI. But will consumers buy, either the music or the message? Sociology professor Paul Levinson of Fordham University in New York says a media theory called "False Association" is at work when Madonna and others use their status as celebrities to make political statements.
"Whenever celebrities make political statements, the only reason people pay attention to them is because they are celebrities, they're glamorous, they have an impact on pop culture," he said.
For example, Martin Sheen, star of NBC's "The West Wing," may say that UN inspections in Iraq need more time to work. But how does he know that? Levinson asked. Does he have the expertise?
"It's unfortunate because people pay attention for the wrong reasons," he said.
Although the war in Iraq is continuing, celebrities and peace activists continue to voice opposition to this conflict, calling instead for a peaceful resolution.
But when celebrities make anti-war statements, will anyone listen? It does not seem like they will, with public support for the war growing day by day. "I think people should pay less attention to celebrities," Levinson concluded.
Whatever one's thoughts on the war, Madonna may be leading a trend in the music business.
Her single, which will be released on April 11, will sell for $1.49. The single will be available at maverick.com.
Michael Friedman -- an entertainment lawyer for law firm of Jenkins, Gilchrist, Parker, and Chapin in New York City -- says he is impressed that Madonna was able to disseminate a new single online.
"I think it's very intelligent that artists like Madonna can put together a piece with a political message and get it across the globe. It's an effective means of communicating a political message," he said. Whether or not the public is influenced by the message depends on the message itself and how it is disseminated, Friedman said.
Another entertainment lawyer -- Jerry Reisman of the Reisman, Peirez, and Reisman firm in Garden City, NY - said: "Only Madonna could do this because of her noted popularity."
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