Parents group slams new Rihanna video

LOS ANGELES, June 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Parents Television Council says it is condemning the violence depicted in Rihanna's latest music video, "Man Down."

The clip debuted this week on BET's "106 & Park."

The PTC said it shows Rihanna in "an implied rape scene with a man whom she later guns down in an act of premeditated murder."

"Rihanna's personal story and status as a celebrity superstar provided a golden opportunity for the singer to send an important message to female victims of rape and domestic violence. Instead of telling victims they should seek help, Rihanna released a music video that gives retaliation in the form of premeditated murder the imprimatur of acceptability. The message of the disturbing video could not be more off base," said Melissa Henson, the PTC's director of communications and public education, in a statement Wednesday.

"'Man Down' is an inexcusable, shock-only, shoot-and-kill theme song. In my 30 years of viewing BET, I have never witnessed such a cold, calculated execution of murder in prime-time. Viacom's standards and practices department has reached another new low," added Paul Porter, co-founder of the media watchdog Industry Ears and a former voice of BET. "If Chris Brown shot a woman in his new video and BET premiered it, the world would stop. Rihanna should not get a pass and BET should know better. The video is far from broadcast worthy. To make matters worse, Rihanna went to Twitter this week to tell her fans the video contains a 'very strong underlying message 4 girls like me.' A graphic portrayal of the singer getting back at an attacker by shooting him in cold blood in a crowded train station and then fleeing the scene is potentially the worst possible message that could be sent."

Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna, his then-girlfriend, in 2009. He was placed on probation and ordered to complete community service.