Band's anti-gay slur 'is not that Dire' – watchdog

Canada's broadcast standards council has amended its earlier ruling that Dire Straits' 1985 hit Money for Nothing was unfit for radio, saying that while a homophobic slur used in the song was inappropriate, it should be taken in context.

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission had asked for a review of the song after the standards council ruled in January that the British group's song was unfit for radio because its lyrics included three mentions of the anti-gay slur "faggot". The council was responding to a complaint from a radio listener.

The council has released its review decision, saying the majority of the council's panel said they felt the word was being used satirically and not in a hateful manner.