Entertainment
Rebecca Ferguson calls for ‘immediate’ parliamentary action over music industry ‘bullying’ as she joins Jedward in speaking out
Rebecca Ferguson has called for ‘immediate’ parliamentary action into the ‘bullying’ allegedly riddling the music industry.
The Glitter & Gold singer has previously spoken about her experience in the music industry after appearing on The X Factor in 2010 and said that she’s been subjected to racism and mistreatment.
Just as Jedward criticised The X Factor and Simon Cowell in their own Twitter tirade, Rebecca published an open letter calling for the Government to put policies in place to protect artists.
It has been confirmed that Rebecca, 34, will meet with Secretary of State, Oliver Dowden, from the department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport at the beginning of May to debate musicians’ welfare and treatment.
The letter said: ‘The music industry is currently very much front of mind with the Commons Select Committee as the economics of music streaming is in the process of an investigation.
‘Rebecca is calling for the Select Committee to extend the interrogation beyond just streaming and for artist welfare to come under the microscope.’
It added that Rebecca has contacted ‘a major UK broadcaster’ and Ofcom to request they launch investigations into the treatment and processes involved in recruiting artists.
The soul singer has also launched a petition for the public to sign and support ‘in her quest to protect’ other musicians.
‘She is determined to launch a thorough inquiry into the treatment of creatives and artists within the industry,’ the letter said.
Rebecca added a personal statement and explained: ‘People have warned me for years about doing this or have encouraged me not to speak out, and unfortunately, I realise that my career may be once again affected by speaking out.
‘However, enough is enough and musicians/artists/creatives need change, a lot of my damage has been done but this is about protecting people in the future.
‘We need an immediate inquiry to take place to change the way people are allowed to operate in this industry!’
Rebecca noted how the music industry pumps billions of pounds into the UK economy each year, therefore the artists ‘responsible need to be treated with the utmost of care and respect for their contribution to society’.
In November, a report revealed that the music industry generated 5.8billion into the UK economy.
Rebecca continued: ‘Great artists have gone before their contribution to society! Great artists have gone before me and spoken out, Prince and Nina Simone, for example, the list is endless, and we owe it to their legacy to create a safer industry.’
‘By regulating the music industry and holding people to account it will make for a happier and healthier working environment, which will in turn increase productivity!
‘My proposals are not very different to other businesses, I just want the people working within the industry to have somebody above them, so that they can never become so powerful that their actions are unpunishable.’
Offering a solution, the I Hope singer said music managers and agents should hold licenses and face a tribunal should they mistreat and artist or employee, much like protocols in sports.
‘We need this all to be regulated, people involved should be accountable to an official independent governing body,’ she said.
‘Anybody that is against this, does not love artists and wants to be able to keep an archaic system that does a disservice to music and humanity!’
Last month, Rebecca urged her followers to sign the petition and tweeted: ‘If you took part in a reality TV show and if you [signed] contracts, without your “own” Legal team fill in a Fairness and Privacy Complaint form with @Ofcom you can ask that your complaint is kept anonymous if you are worried.’
‘Block my music, stop airplay, do whatever you like I’m coming for you!’ she added.
Rebecca has been open about her experience in the music industry and told Metro.co.uk in June: ‘The industry say they support you, but they don’t, they close doors. They don’t want to know, in my experience.
‘I support the stars speaking out, I’ve spoken out. But, at this time in my life where I’m trying to be positive, and I’ve gone through quite a lot of pain in the industry, I’m not hurting myself anymore… because I’ve tried. That’s how I feel.’
She continued: ‘I tried to speak out and I set up a petition – that was years ago – I tried to get better rules and things in the music industry, but if I’m honest… I feel like every time I try and speak about those matters it hinders me.
‘I felt like doors just got closed for me. I had loads of interviews lined up and I was supposed to talk about these matters and every door got closed.’
Rebecca rose to fame as a contestant on The X Factor in 2010, the same series which also featured One Direction, Matt Cardle and Cher Lloyd.
She was mentored by Cheryl and finished second place behind Matt who won the series.
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