According to CNN, The Academy accused Bruce Broughton, an ex-Academy governor, of using his position to promote the title song from 'Alone Yet Not Alone' an independent film with a Christian message.Broughton, who was devastated when he heard the news, said in his statement that he was only using the simplest methods to campaign.
He said it was working out for him because the song was getting more popular as his methods were effective. 'I indulged in the simplest grass roots campaign and it went against me when the song started getting attention', he said. 'I got taken down by competition that had months of promotion and advertising behind them. I simply asked people to find the song and consider it.'
The Academy said his actions were not in line with promotional regulations, and were inconsistent with the Academy's promotional regulations.The song 'Alone Yet Not Alone' which was composed by Broughton and Dennis Spiegel, and was performed by Joni Eareckson Tada, an evangelist, had people surprised when it was nominated alongside songs by acts like Pharrell Williams,U2 and Karen O. The public also raised eyebrows when it beat songs by the likes of Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift.
A rescision is not unprecedented in the history of the Oscars. In 1973, 'Nino Rota's score for 'The Godfather' was disqualified after it was discovered that the song has been reused. The 2014 Academy Awards comes up on March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
