



I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I am a Justin Bieber fan.

I have taken up for him in the past when some mean, ol’ people booed him at a basketball game for no reason and I have several of his songs on my iPod. But sweet mercy, where was his handler, publicist or any of the folks who make up his “people” when he sat down with Rolling Stone magazine?

In a VERY freewheeling interview you may have heard about, Bieber gave his take on premarital sex, homosexuality, healthcare and abortion. Of abortion, Bieber is quoted as saying, “I really don’t believe in abortion,” Bieber says. “It’s like killing a baby.” How about in cases of rape? “Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason”.

Okay, a couple of things come to mind immediately. Should a 16-year-old be publicly grappling with questions on issues that even career politicians cannot agree on? And where were his people? Truth be told, as a former journalist I can tell you I absolutely HATED when PR people or handlers tried to micro-manage every aspect of an interview, essentially sucking the spontaneity from the exchange. But they also have a job to do and that is to protect their client, which they did for Justin, but only AFTER the fact (Rolling Stone magazine has now admitted that a key part of his answer was left out; a big whoops).

Okay so the question for debate today is:

Are these questions really appropriate for a 16 year old – even if they’re a celebrity?

And who do you think is to blame? Should Bieber’s PR people been paying more attention? Was the Rolling Stone reporter trying to entrap the young star? Was the omission a mistake or do you think something more sinister was going on?

Okay let’s hear ya!