Music has been a medium where people can express themselves and through the years it has evolved into a platform where boundaries are pushed. Music's freedom of expression is powerful and can sometimes cause conflict. The idea of censorship, specifically concerning music, is controversial and brings up questions of what should and shouldn’t be allowed. One notable example of music censorship is the Parental Advisory label, which provides a warning on music that contains explicit content. I believe that music censorship can benefit and even protect vulnerable groups, but I also think that censorship should only be used when it is necessary. Moreover, music remains a platform in which people can express themselves, and inappropriate or excessive …show more content…
The PAL serves as a tool that helps parents recognize music that may not be suitable for adolescents. Ultimately, censorship of inappropriate material can be necessary at times to protect younger audiences, but it should also be known that improper language and sexual innuendos are always going to be part of our lives. It is appropriate to censor music to shield others, but it is unbefitting to censor music for no reason. However, the application of censorship can vary from genre to genre, and this arbitrariness can often cause unfairness as well as conflict. Often, we see that hip-hop or rap may face more censorship compared to other genres such as pop or country. Seeing this suppression being found more in one genre than others implies that the censorship process is not always fair. Though hip-hop and rap music contain more explicit content than other genres, they also contain a lot of topics that listeners need to be aware of. For example, several of Eminem’s songs talk about serious topics such as drug relapse and …show more content…
Censorship should be applied equally to all genres of music, and in this society, we should be aware of the serious things happening around us, even if it is through a song. In order to decide what is censored and what is appropriate, it usually falls upon a combination of media corporations, government bodies as well as public opinions. There are certain criteria that are used to determine what should be censored and what shouldn’t. For example, the PAL applies to music based on criteria such as sexual content, violent themes or explicit lyrics. Other decisions can lay in the hands of public opinion, or in more serious matters, the government can also get involved. Furthermore, media corporations can also censor certain things based on their own criteria. Typically, media corporations censor certain aspects which can help to prevent a celebrity or artist from being portrayed inappropriately. This decision-making process does not seem to be highly regulated; it seems that it depends on what the musical piece represents as well as the artist. With that said, I must note the impact the censorship has on personal
Lastly,music censorship also gives the impression that people are not mature or responsible enough to handle this type of music. Even with some kids listening to the music, there is no reason the censor it because chances are they have heard the words or phrases that are censored. There are people over 18 who can control what they are and aren’t listening too. In the article “Most Valid Pros and Cons of Music Censorship” it states, “People have the right to listen to the kind of songs they want ”, it also says in the same article “Children will be learning about sex, violence and drugs from other means and at a certain point of their lives” (Most Valid Pros and Cons). Censoring the bad things in music protects kids from things they will learn anyway, and people have a right to listen to the kinds of music and things they listen to and watch.
Censorship in music is a very controversial subject in today’s society. What is considered a form of artistic expression to some is also considered vulgar and inappropriate to others. But who ultimately gets to decide what is considered vulgar and what is not? Who decides who hears what in the music industry? The RIAA is responsible for applying the Parental Advisory stamp on every album that is released in the United States. The FCC is responsible for making sure that no vulgarities or controversial comments are aired on radio or television. But why is some content edited and other content not? I will try and explain these questions in our article.
The First Amendment to the Bill of Rights exists because the Founders of our country understood the importance of free expression. The First Amendment states "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . ." (Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution 17). One of the ways the American people use this freedom of speech and expression is through the creation of the art form known as music. Music's verbal expression bonds our society through our emotions and experiences. This fundamental right of freedom of expression is being threatened by public and governmental groups who believe they have authority to monitor and decide what others should experience. The censorship of music lyrics is a violation of our First Amendment right, and public groups should not be allowed to bypass this right to censor obscene lyrics produced in the music industry.
What is censorship? An encyclopedia defines censorship as "the control of what people may say or hear, write or read, or see or do1." There are many reasons why people censor entertainment such as literature and music. Many governments or groups try to preserve their standards of morality by preventing people from learning about or following other standards2, commonly found in the two previously mentioned mediums. There are different ways to censor things. It can be on a local level, such as libraries refusing to carry a controversial book. It can also be on an entirely larger scale. In the 1770’s, French author Beaumarchais had two of his plays, The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro, banned by King Louis XVI.2 Back then, these plays were considered outrageous and sometimes blasphemous. To fully understand how our system of censorship works today, we have to look into history to see how censorship got started.
Music censorship has been debated since the beginning of recording history. The censoring of music is the practice of restricting free access to musical works. Songs with strong language, racist views, or harmful references will have warning labels on them. There are currently no laws regarding the censorship of music. Censorship originated from a wide variety of motivations, including moral, political, military or religious reasons. The censoring of music is incorrect and should be eradicated. Music has been prominent in culture for thousands of years; it is a big contributing factor to moral compositions, for some it is a personal refuge, for others it is enjoyment, music is an important aspect and to censor music would be racially discriminative, insensitive, and detrimental towards society.
By definition censorship is the suppression of words, ideas, and images that are deemed "offensive" by the general public. As in any form of media, such restrictions in music limit the artists right of free speech and the true artist value of his or her work. For instance, in the world of heavy metal, there are multiple lawsuits against Ozzy Osbourne and one major legal dispute against a band known as Gwar. Where both artists were both falsely censored by the law and wrongly accused by our society.
Music is one of the most popular ways of expression and has been for generations. It makes us want to dance, inspires, soothes, relaxes, and sometimes tells us a story. Music is something the whole world shares and has brought together different kinds of people. However, there has been a question on whether some music has affected society negatively and crossed the line with some of its lyrics, content, and the persona of the artists. Certain music has been boycotted and even banned in the U.S. Pro-censorship supporters say that music is something that can deeply affect our society especially children who should not have to be subjected to things like violence, sex, drugs, or hate. However, being that music is a form of expression, censoring it would just be violating everyone's right to freedom of speech and expression.
Many bills have been passed to stop explicit messages in music from getting out. Censorship limits the amount of lyrics that get out to the community about violence. (History of Music Censorship) It may also limit anything in music that a community might find offensive to its values or beliefs. The lyrics presented in some songs are not appropriate for young adults. Some say music censorship goes against the First Amendment. It stops artists from expressing how they may feel. The profit on albums often goes down because of censorship. Censorship constantly targets rap and hip hop, and they are usually hit the hardest. (Forms of Music Censorship)
When Charlie Malone’s older sister, Kira, discovers his history project on ancient Egypt is due tomorrow, Charlie expects her to rat him out to their parents - instead, Kira reveals she is a witch and has the ability to transport him back in time to ancient Egypt. As Kira only uses a broom when sweeping and wouldn't know how to operate a wand if she had one, Kira tells Charlie she prefers to identify herself as a Slider (as she possesses the ability to “slide” through space and time). Charlie has his doubts about Kira’s claim, but arguing seems pointless when he finds himself staring down a sphinx, surrounded by hundreds of people dressed like ancient Egyptians. Although he would love to scale a pyramid or see a mummy, Charlie has to
Against Music Censorship Music censorship has been a major problem plaguing America for over fifty years. In 1957, Elvis Pressley was only allowed to be filmed from the waist up on the Ed Sullivan show (Nuzum 1). Plenty of controversy has taken place between then and now, but more recently it has become much more prominent in the media, and people and organizations are beginning to actually take a stand. For example, Island Records (owned by Disney) dropped the Insane Clown Posse just after their release of The Great Milenko and MTV actually refused to play Madonna's video for Justify My Love because it was considered too sexually explicit (Nuzum 1). Music content is just one of the many issues that put the First Amendment of our Constitution to work.
Music has always been a basic form of expression. From Antonin Dvorak, to Eminem, to even ancient, tribal music, it has been a medium through which individuals convey their thoughts and expressions. Today this medium is under attack. Everywhere we turn, everything we do and say is being scrutinized. We are being told what to say. We are being spoon-fed our emotions. No longer are we allowed to think freely, openly. All the censors out there are on the prowl for another piece to rip to shreds because it doesn't fit their description of what is decent and moral. What they fail to realize is that we don't make the music for them... We do it for release.
Imagine our youth all over the country being exposed to this explicit kind of language. There is no need to imagine, because it is already happening. Ever since the rise of Rap and Hip Hop music, teens have been turning to them to help solve their problems. However these kinds of music can be very destructive to teens. It is not the youth’s fault; it is the content that the music contains. Although Rap and Hip Hop music can be a force for good, they can also have an extremely negative impact on the attitudes and behaviors of our youth.
Teens and the human populous have been draw to music, and the relief it gives off. As recent as the 1990’s, we’ve seen an increase in explicit and violent lyrics and deviant behavior in the music industry surrounding such genres as heavy metal, rock, rap, and gangster rap. During this past decade, lyrics are becoming more violent and sexually explicit. It is approximated that teens listen to an average of 40 hours of music a week, and somewhere along the way, a child will hear something derogatory, or cruel. Along with this, teens don’t necessarily interpret what is said through lyrics in the right manner. In one study, only 30% of those somewhat questionable lyrics by popular bands were comprehended by the teen population.
... women. There are labels on music today that warn of explicit and violent lyrics, but there are none that advise listeners against language that debases women and that could possibly harm a person’s self-image. Every person has the right to speak their mind however they see fit, but if they can ban an album for condoning murder or rebellion against authority why can they not at least warn the public of music that offends an entire gender? Censorship of these words will not stop them from being spoken or written; only education about why and how they are used and how harmful they can be can bring about a change.
The Web. The Web. 17 May 2010. http://www.noisebetweenstations.com/personal/essays/music_censorship.html>. In another essay on the censorship of music, Lombardi argues that the listener should be able to decide for himself whether or not the music is suitable for his ears.