Shut Up & Post - The Official Free Speech Discussion Blog on MySpace Tied to the Dixie Chicks Documentary 'Shut Up & Sing'

Shut Up & Post - The Official Free Speech Discussion Blog on MySpace Tied to the Dixie Chicks Documentary 'Shut Up & Sing'

SHUT UP & POST Allows Members To Express What Freedom of Speech Means in Today's World

NEW YORK, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- What is the price to be paid for free speech? The Dixie Chicks were criticized by the American media and the American public for voicing their opinions and now they want to hear what your views are on freedom of expression. The Weinstein Company has launched an official free speech discussion blog on MySpace.com called SHUT UP & POST. The forum enables MySpace members to upload a video blog posting of themselves and/or post a comment explaining what freedom of speech means to them. The blog is tied to the upcoming documentary about the Dixie Chicks titled "Shut Up & Sing" being released by The Weinstein Company in limited theaters on October 27 and nationwide on November 10. The interactive marketing agency Deep Focus assisted in securing and building the promotion.

Freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental rights that American's enjoy and is essential to the existence of Democracy. Whatever side you fall on, simply get your opinion out there and exercise your right to free speech. The SHUT UP & POST blog is essentially a forum where anyone can participate and comment with other bloggers. To get involved, simply visit http://www.myspace.com/shutupandsing and post your comments or upload a video of yourself stating what your opinions are on free speech.

MySpace.com, the largest online social networking community with over 115 million registered members, and Technorati, the leading authority on the global blogosphere, currently tracking over 40 million blogs worldwide, joined forces to power the SHUT UP & POST blog. This collaboration enables the blog to track and connect users to other blogs about free speech and about the Dixie Chicks. SHUT UP & POST is poised to become the largest free speech discussion forum not only on the internet, but in the world.

Furthermore, the film's online free speech campaign combines the power of 'rich media' and 'social media' allowing audiences to voice their opinions directly into the banners and have those opinions immediately posted to the SHUT UP AND POST blog.

Barbara Kopple, co-director of "Shut Up & Sing" stated, "Freedom of speech is the right to tell your story without fear of being forcibly silenced whether through legality, ridicule or manipulation. Freedom of speech is the right to start the conversation, to ask questions, to challenge assumptions, and to fight for what you believe. To stay silent or to declare blind loyalty is not in anyone's interest and our right to freedom of speech is something we need to protect fiercely and protect often."

Cecilia Peck, co-director of "Shut Up & Sing" stated, "As George Orwell said, 'If liberty means anything, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.' And that means without being persecuted for what you've said. When Natalie Maines questioned the invasion of Iraq, she spoke for many of us who are citizens, and mothers, and who love this country."

Ian Schafer, CEO of Deep Focus, added, "Social media, including blogs, video sharing, and social networks, have changed the way people express themselves. It is precisely this freedom of expression that 'Shut Up & Sing' fundamentally explores. Through a campaign that not only encourages, but enables free speech, audiences will have a forum to make their voices heard -- and seen."

From two time Academy Award winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple, and co-director Cecilia Peck, "Shut Up & Sing" travels with the Dixie Chicks, from the peak of their popularity as the national-anthem-singing darlings of country music and top-selling female recording artists of all time, through the now infamous anti-Bush comment made by the group's lead singer Natalie Maines in 2003. The film traces the lives and careers of the Dixie Chicks over a period of three years during which they were under political attack and received death threats, while continuing to live their lives, have children, and of course make music. At a time when the United States is fighting for democracy and freedom in another country, it raises questions about our own right to freedom of speech and the negative consequences it can have.

Source: The Weinstein Company

CONTACT: Sarah Rothman, +1-646-862-3823, Sarah.rothman@weinsteinco.com;
Julie Cloutier, +1-646-862-3825, Julie.cloutier@weinsteinco.com

Web site: http://www.myspace.com/shutupandsing

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