The Controversy Of Music Censorship

Since the being of time people have been making and listening to music. Music has been considered the best way to express ourselves. The Bible even talks about how music was used to praise God. Music has been used for all type of things ranging from to getting a girl to notice guy, trying to get over a broken heart, or maybe losing a love one. Now society says that music has become too violent and sexually oriented. Many people have different point of view on this topic some people feel that there should be some type of censorship, while other feel censorship is against the first amendment, and others feel that parents should be responsible for what their children listen to. The question that comes to mind is should

Musicians are protected under the First Amendment equally as any citizen in the United States of America. They deserve the same basic human rights we all practice, "however the freedom of expression has special relevance for musicians (Hald 1 of 8). "This offers a special protection of musicians against arbitrary censorship and persecution" (Hald 1 of 8). Not only does censorship of music threaten the freedom of speech, but it also threatens a musician's right to promote their work through free enterprise. "Musicians have the freedom to play music in public or private domains, give concerts, and release CDs" (Hald 1-2 of 8). Some concert

Have you ever watched a video of someone talking and their words were sort of blurred out or cut out? This is what people do in order to take the “bad words” out of the video. This is what is called censorship. Censorship is defined as the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. In reference to the category of music censorship, it is a retraction from artist’ work and restricts freedom of speech. Censorship is equivalent to blotting out a portion of a painting or ripping out parts of a movie.

“Censorship, like charity should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there,” is a quote by Clare Boothe Luce (Fitzhenry, 84). Some parents are against the censorship of music. They believe that they should raise their kids, not some politicians who believe one nasty word will change a whole child’s future.

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,

Throughout the years, music has evolved and transformed in many ways. However, there are restrictions in today’s music, otherwise known as, censorships. A crisis has emerged concerning the issue of censorship. This argument consists of two possible stances: one, supporting the continuation of censorship, and two, eliminating the status quo of censorships in the music industry. There have been countless debates and arguments regarding the issues of censorship ever since the U.S. Congress passed the Radio Act in 1927 (The History). The time has arrived for censorship to be brought to an end. The government should release their grip on the censorship of music for the following reasons: it obstructs the public’s freedom of choice, it

Musicians should be able to express themselves any way they want to. According to Freemuse.org, article ‘What is Music Censorship?’, “Music is a free expression of the ideas, traditions, and emotions of individuals and of people. The claim states that musicians should express themselves which supports the evidence because they both agree that music is a way of expression. Art is a way to express your ideas and emotions and music is a time of art. Moreover, censorship blocks the right of expressing.

The tall, lanky fifteen-year-old ambled slowly up to the counter and tossed his music selection toward the clerk. The salesman began to ring the sale up in his routine manner, but just then something caught his eye. It was a small black sticker on the corner of the CD. This sticker plainly read "explicit lyrics." As the teenager fumbled through his pockets searching for a method of payment, the clerk gave him a questioning glance. "Could I see some identification please?" The clerk's voice cut through the silence like a knife through butter. Immediately the boy's face went from something of a blank stare to a frown. "I'm sorry this particular CD is not available to minors," the clerk apologetically stated. "Yeah

In fact, “Emotional expression has been regarded as one of the most important criteria for the aesthetic value of music. . . and has even been described as a “language of the emotions” by some authors.” (Juslin) This includes all music, Even if the content of the music is outrageous or inappropriate, it still is the musician’s product of expression. In some cases, censoring music can also take entertainment value away from some songs, especially if the song is meant to be comedic. Not only that, but censoring music is infringing on one of the basic human rights to freedom of speech. The First Amendment protects the expression of speech of any kind, and censoring music impedes on this basic right. Although this is true, people still thoroughly believe inappropriate music should be

After Elvis made a performance in the area’s Sawyer Auditorium just two nights early, the editor composed a letter to director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. He his letter he states, “I feel an obligation to pass on to you my conviction that Presley is a definite danger to the security of the United States” (“A Striptease with Clothes on.”). The editor goes on to say, “Eyewitnesses have told me that Presley's actions and motions were such as to rouse the sexual passions of teenaged youth. One eye-witness described his actions as “sexual self-gratification on the stage," — another as “a striptease with clothes on." (“A Striptease with Clothes on.”). Much like the editor of the La Crosse Register, many parents were concerned about the reaction of their children when Elvis was

In today’s society music has turned into one of the most influential factors of socialization in children and youth. Young audiences are constantly exposed to popular music through various radio stations, internet websites, and technology. Since popular music has been making a notable impact on young generations, the government has put into place the censorship of music. Censorship is the alteration of ideas or lyrics in music that are deemed unsuitable for public hearing. Music that sends messages against moral norms of society are subject to get censored when getting aired on radio stations or sold in stores. Everyday people are exposed to the censorship of music especially when listening to music on the radio. Censorship takes effect every time a word or phase gets bleeped out or removed from a song. A national debate between artists and government has become a real issue of whether music should be censored or not. On one hand, artists have the rights to freely express themselves through music. In opposition, the government can censor music that has any philosophical objections in its meaning. Artist may feel a challenge in boundaries when it comes to writing and publishing music since they have to abide by many laws, or accept that their music will be modified. As a teenager that listens to a variety of different music, I can see why censorship has to take place, however I do sympathize with artist that may feel artistically blocked. I also

According to Debate.org, 84% of people around the world believe that censorship of music should not exist. If music is censored, so many things would be taken away from the song. Artists write their explicit lyrics for a reason. They want their feelings to be heard. They deserve their freedom of speech. When musicians need to express their feelings they let it out through their songs, they are letting out their emotions. When the lyrics are censored the true theme or message of the song is taken away. How are artists supposed to express themselves if their thoughts are being censored. Artists deserve freedom of speech, they also deserve to be able to let out their emotions, and their message of the song should not be changed.

Some citizens and the Government try to justify the act of censorship or the act of violating the citizens First Amendment right. The number one argument that is used in favor of censorship in entertainment is that it’s used to prevent the youth from being poisoned by harmful speech. The government often says that kids are highly influenced by artists and that they can easily be persuaded into committing actions that are unacceptable; however this argument cannot be further from the truth. “In study after study, it had been demonstrated that music listeners are not attracted to or influenced by a moral or ethical message with which they don't agree; they either reject it outright…”(Nuzum 8) This indicates that “harmful language” in music do

Musicians in this time are thought of as idols or role models. Children strive to be exactly like their favorite rap or pop artist. Because they are so popular, musicians can be influential in everything they say, whether that be to the media or in their music. Their lyrics become so influential, that people take them quite literally, and can even act upon some of the things sang by the lyricist. Although this can be dangerous at times, like with Marilyn Manson being blamed for school shootings, musicians reserve the right to speak freely thru their music, much like everyone has the right to free speech.

Censorship can be beneficial in some aspects but if used improperly it can also be harmful. Censorship is the control of what people may say or hear, write or read, or see or do. Censorship can affect all forms of art, music, speech, and expression. It can be seen as a means of suppressing free speech, especially in the case of musical lyrics and the impact music has on behaviors. According to Richard Taruskin, “It is all but irresistible kinesthetic response that music evokes that makes it such a potent influence on behavior, thence on morals and beliefs.” Therefore he justifies the need to censor music in order to prevent or reduce the negative behaviors associated with the influence of music lyrics. However, censorship diminishes an