Viacom suspends programming for 17 minutes to support students protesting gun violence
Viacom Inc. suspended all programming on its networks for 17 minutes on Wednesday, in support of students across the U.S. who have staged a walkout to protest gun violence. Students have been active in marching and demanding action in the weeks since a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. “Viacom and its brands have a long history of supporting young people’s movements around the world, and today the company is extending that tradition by leveraging its substantial multi-platform footprint to support these extraordinary individuals and amplify the reach and impact of their activism,” Viacom said in a blog post. Viacom channels MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Comedy Central, TV Land, CMT and others suspended all programming from 10 a.m. to 10.17 a.m., leaving the screen blank apart from a message stating: “The next 17 minutes are dedicated to young people who are leading the fight against gun violence.”
Source : MTV
