Rihanna Defends "Man Down" Video, While Suffering Partial Ban in Britain Is It Artistic Freedom or Just Being Crude? Singing sensation Rihanna was wrapped up in controversy this week and it centers on her new video "Man Down." The video shows the 23-year-old performer in a crowded train station calmly shooting an alleged rapist in the back of the head. Rihanna says the video demonstrates female empowerment. But the Parents Television Council has blasted the singer saying the video only shows a "cold, calculated execution of murder." Meanwhile another industry watchdog group, Industry Ears, is also encouraging television networks not to air the video because it is harmful to children. In a press statement, Industry Ears said, "If Chris Brown (Rihanna's former boyfriend who was found guilty of assaulting her) shot a woman in
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his new video and BET premiered it, the world would stop. Rihanna should not get a pass ." Rihanna's response has essentially been she is a young woman making an artistic statement. She wrote on Twitter, "I'm a 23-year-old rockstar with no kids. What's up with everybody wanting me to be a parent?" Meanwhile, a report in London's The Daily Mail has led to the partial banning of a Rihanna video. The report compiled by Reg Baily of Mother's Union targeted what it called the "sexualization of children" and included a denunciation of racy videos which feature skimpy clothing and sexual play. Both Rihanna and another performing sensation Lady Gaga had videos placed on a list which bans them from television before 9 p.m.