I just learned that Justin Bieber has made a new anti-cyberbullying video, which was released Wednesday, October 10.
OK, so he’s doing he is part…
wait…
what was that?
He has a PLEA DEAL that calls for him to make an anti-cyberbullying public service announcement?
While it’s great for the anti-bullying crusaders out there, and for Beliebers everywhere, that he has made a PSA video on this topic,
does it lose it’s effectiveness when you know that he was forced to make it by New York prosecutor as part of a plea deal?
Not in the mood to read the FULL ARTICLE?
HERE IS A BASIC RECAP OF EVENTS:
1. Bieber’s Twitter account stated he was going to be at a mall in 2009.
(Remember New Kids on the Block/Debbie Gibson Mall Tours circa 1982? Yeah, just like that. They still do that kind of thing.)
2. Too many tweens showed up and safety issues arose (a mall “frenzy” lol).
(Tween: “a girl ages about 9-14…too old for toys, but too young for boys” – Thanks Urban Dictionary!)
3. Police asked his staff to pretty please send a tweet out that the event was cancelled.
(Not too hard, right? But WAIT…THERE’S MORE!)
4. They couldn’t do so because JB’s manager had changed the password to prevent anyone from cancelling the event.
FAIL.
Bieber’s Manager Braun and Def Jam Records executive James Roppo were charged with misdemeanors.
(oh yeah, did I mention that shortly after they were arrested 2 tweets were sent out cancelling the event, it took all of 15 MINUTES for the crowd to vanish?)
The charges were later dropped in a plea agreement that permitted Bieber’s record company and a management company to plead guilty to fire code violations, as well as reimburse Nassau County almost $8,000.
WHICH LEADS TO THE MATTER AT HAND:
The agreement called for Bieber to record the anti-cyberbullying public service announcement video.
I understand the need to learn from one’s mistakes and for them to repay the county for costs associated with their communications failure.
That being said, and after being privy to the facts behind the making of this video, does this change the effectiveness of this PSA?
Let me know your thoughts.
Oh yeah, here’s the PSA.
I’m going to go watch something NOT involving a young boy who eerily reminds me of a blonde VELMA from Scooby Doo in this video…