Concert Pianist Upset At Publication Over Review, Wants ‘To Be Forgotten’
A concert pianist had a problem with a review in a prominent publication’s online version. What did Dejan Lazic do about it? He requested that the online news publication take down the article.
It is said that there is no such thing as bad publicity, but Lazic doesn’t agree with that. Since 2010, a review written by the online publication sat on top of Google’s search results and the musician felt it was defamation.
Most of that time, Lazic could do nothing about it, but as of this past May, the European Union ruled that an individual has a “right to be forgotten.” This means that if someone’s image is marred by online search results, he feels they have the right to have the responsible party take it down.
Most sites just reported the story of classical pianist Dejan Lazic, I designed his next cover http://t.co/x3MlCjYMw0 pic.twitter.com/HsFklP2fLc
— Dan Cooper (@danielwcooper) November 3, 2014
That is exactly what Dejan Lazic asked the Washington Post to do with a scathing review by classical music critic Anne Midgette. If it hasn’t been taken down yet, the review, titled “Sparks but no flame,” is still up and you can read it by clicking here.
The concert pianist feels that this publicity has done nothing but damage his reputation as an artist, and now that there is a law in place to help him, he’s taking action. Lazic feels that his request does not enforce censorship.
“To wish for such an article to be removed from the internet has absolutely nothing to do with censorship or with closing down our access to information.”
Lazic is definitely not the first person to take action over their online image, either. Currently in rehab, former child star Amanda Bynes has taken to Twitter to reveal her intention to sue any news publication which “spreads lies” about her and makes her look bad.
The Washington Post replied to the concert pianist attempting to use the “right to be forgotten” law.
“It’s a question that goes far beyond law or ethics, frankly – it’s also baldly metaphysical, a struggle with the very concept of reality and its determinants.
“We ought to live in a world, Lazic argues, where everyone – not only artists and performers but also politicians and public officials – should be able to edit the record according to their personal opinions and tastes.
“This is all in pursuit of some higher, objective truth.”
It is unknown if concert pianist Dejan Lazic will increase pressure legally, but the online publication seems to be pointing out the alleged vanity in his request.
Should the Washington Post and other online publications even outside Europe be subjected to Europe’s “right to be forgotten” law, or is Lazic just trying to alter the records so he looks better?
[Image via Janackuv Maj]
