Parents Television Council Criticizes MTV and Miley Cyrus for ‘Offensive Content’ at VMAs

The VMAs are no friend to the Parents Television Council, which has slammed the MTV awards show in previous years. After Sunday’s broadcast the PTC released a statement accusing MTV of “perpetual blatant sexualization,” and chastised the network for hostMiley Cyrus’ discussion of marijuana and her wardrobe malfunction, which occurred during a candid backstage moment.

“MTV had an opportunity to use its powerful VMA platform to stir a young audience to aspire to something positive and uplifting. Instead they chose to perpetuate blatant sexualization – much of it self-inflicted by the artists – and to celebrate the use of illegal drugs,” PTC President Tim Winter said in a statement. “MTV rated the content of the program as appropriate for a child as young as 14, though most parents of teens that age would find such a content rating preposterous. In the end, the network succeeded in what it wanted to do: stir up controversy without regard to its impact on an entertainment environment that is increasingly toxic for children.”

The statement continued: “Are we surprised that Miley Cyrus exposed herself to millions of viewers, and to more people who will inevitably see the news in the mainstream media? About as surprised as we’ll be if the sun rises in the east tomorrow morning. We had hoped she would have proven us wrong and demonstrate her considerable talent as a performer, rather than rely on her own sexuality to entertain the audience.”

Cyrus was “exposed” while changing backstage, partially hidden behind a curtain. The camera cut away, but not before Cyrus was heard saying, “Oh, what’s happening? Oh sorry, my tit’s out?”

The Parents Television Council ended its statement, “MTV and Cyrus could both be forces for something positive, but tonight’s VMA partners relied on exposing millions of children to graphic, inappropriate and far-too-frequently offensive content.”

This article originally appeared on EW.com

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