R.E.M doesn't dig Fox News

Athens - When Fox News played REM's hit song "Losing My Religion" following commentary about the Democratic Party's stance on religious morality issues they were quickly served with a cease and desist order from the uberpop group.

Most television networks use popular music of all genres to spice up what may be considered dry viewing by the talking heads and pundits of their choice. There is no doubt that the publishing revenue for the songwriters and publishers is significant and a constant breadwinner for an occupation that has witnessed a depletion in artist revenue mainly due to the loss of sales of hard product such as CD, vinyl and other formats. However the Athens based REM took exception to FOX NEWS when the news network hijacked "Losing My Religion" to opine a lack religious topics being debated by participants in the DNC on September 5/12. A statement from their website says, "...through it's music publisher Warner-Tamerlane music, (REM)demanded that Fox News cease and desist from continuing it's unlicensed and unauthorized use of the song(Losing My Religion)" The song 's lyricist/composer as well as the group's lead singer Michael Stipe said, "We have little or no respect for their puff adder brand of reportage. Our music does not belong there"