Should Music Videos Be Censored?

cen·sor·ship

Noun:

The practice of officially examining books, movies, etc., and suppressing unacceptable parts.

Although music is a form of expression, some artists choose to express themselves in a way found offensive to others. If this offense is taken so seriously, the record label are target to a large amount of public objection, thus decreasing the artists popularity and the crushing of their reputation. With this in mind, OFCOM was created. OFCOM are a company that manage the censorship of music and their videos and other media publications that are released to the general public. If a song is deemed inappropriate, OFCOM are legally allowed to halt the publication of the project or refuse permission for it to be broadcasted. Some institutions or artists choose to censor their music even if the government decide not to, for example, Cee Lo Greens 'Forget you' was made famous on the radio, however its original version was explicit in the respects that the song was really named 'Fuck you'- but for the use of radio publication it was changed for a broader audience. Despite OFCOM being able to control the publication of media, they do find great difficulty in controlling the internet, where anything and everything can be leaked illegally.

Censorship was even around in the 1940's, with "When I'm cleaning windows" by George Formby for the lyrics;

"The blushin' bride, she looks divine

The bridegroom he is doin' fine

I'd rather have his job than mine

When I'm cleanin' windows"

These lyrics suggested that Formby peered through windows and spied on people whilst cleaning windows, this caused upset and therefore was refused publication. By listening to songs such as Rihanna's 'S&M', it is easy to see how the publics idea of 'irresponsible' behavior has shifted and become slightly more open minded. In 1977, famous band 'The Sex Pistols' were  refused broadcasting their song 'God save the Queen' simply for its obtuse attitude towards the Queen. Another song removed from publication was 'Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 'Relax', for the references of undertaking sexual activities. 

Rihanna's 'We found love' was only played on MTV after the watershed hours, as it promoted the indications of public destruction, gambling, drug use, shoplifting, the use of openly playing with fireworks, sexual references and other rebellious actions that surprisingly, cause upset to a vast majority of people. Another good example of the denial of publication would be The Strokes 'New York city cops'. This song was delayed from being published in America after the 9/11 attacks, as it was seen as too insensitive and inappropriate to be played straight after the attack. The chorus is a repeat of;

"New York City cops

New York City cops

They ain't too smart"

Although the lyrics were not aimed at the cops and the events of 9/11, publication was still delayed due to the attacks. This is a good example of how music is controlled to avoid public upset.

The artist 'Eminem' also sparks a great deal of controversy within his music and his videos. Nearly all of his videos contain offensive content, some more than others. One of his biggest public scenes was from his music video of 'Lose it'. Within the content of the video, there are repetitive links to Michael Jackson. The two major keys that sparked this uproar were from two features- Jacksons nose falls off- suggesting Michael had had so much plastic surgery that he had become so fake his features were even falling off. The latter insult at the end of the film is much more offensive, it is bringing up the accusations of Jackson being 'over friendly' with young children, as he is sitting on the edge of the bed (noseless) with four young children behind him. Obviously, to Jackson fans, this was extremely degrading to the artist as it has implications of a serious matter.

The majority of accusations he gained were from parents of children, or people complaining that Eminems straightforward lyrics and edgy language has become the cause and influence of many rebellious teenagers. He raps about drugs, sex, violence and personal family issues. In class, we took the roles of different groups of people and made arguements for and against Eminems music. 

Parents-

For-
"It is not the music that is influencial to the postmodern society. It is all dependant on the parents to ensure a childs upbringing is proper. Parents should make it clear to their children that they are lyrics of someone else's life, and they should not copy things Eminem raps about. Eminem raps about things that have happened to him in the streets, you're child is likely to be exposed to these same dangers walking through the high-road. Blocking Eminems music from your childs iPod is simply taking away what they hear, but they can still see it. Another point is that, even if they are not listening to the music at home, there is nothing to say they do not listen to it at school with their friends. Like it or not, children will be exposed to crude language and distressing stories. It's just how they perceive this, which again, relates back to how the child is brought up."

Against-
"We do not let our child listen to the crude language and talk of sex, drugs and violence. It is an awful influence, as children look to Eminem as an idol. Children pick up on lyrics and repeat them, this encourages bad language and subjection to verbal abuse. His lyrics are disgusting, crude and offensive, and we do not want this sort of attitude to rub off on our children."

Teenagers

For-
"I love Eminems music. I am not influenced by what he has done of what he says, I find it interesting to see how he expresses himself and tells the listeners about his life stories. It's unfair that people try to censor him and block his music, it's taking away his freedom of speech. If you don't like it, don't listen to it. I get told off if I am caught listening to his music, but it's not my fault he swears and says crude things, I enjoy his music and I am not going to let a swear word change my opinion of his song."

Against-
"I don't listen to his music, I'm not particularly interested in the music and I am not affected by his lyrics. I think some people are influenced by his lyrics however, some may idolise him too much. I find his language too offensive and dirty."

Eminem himself

"I do not write my lyrics to offend people. I write about my personal experiences, or what I find funny. I know some of my material is offensive to some but it's only a joke, I am not writing it out of spite. Children are not influenced by my music, they should understand I am plainly speaking my mind, it is up to the parents to keep them clear from my music if they are not happy with it, but by word of mouth the likelihood is that people will still hear it. I find video games much more influential, as the children learn how to actually conflict damage to people. It is only music."

Kiss Radio
"We censor Eminems music before the watershed hours. We play whatever songs are on the charts, and when Eminem is, we will play his music. His music appeals to the vast majority of our audience so they do not find his music offensive. We enjoy his music."

Shady Records
"We promote Eminems lyrics, as he is singing about life experiences and real life situations. He does not write his music to offend or influence teenagers in a bad light. We understand his music can be crude from time to time, but Eminem has freedom of speech."

Personally, I do not find Eminems lyrics offensive. In rare cases, they may be influential. His music is written to entertain and tell stories of his own life, he does this by expressing himself in rap, a talent which many people do not have- It is freedom of speech. I understand parents not wanting a 7 year old to be repeating certain lyrics, infact I agree they should not, but it should be recognised that children are guaranteed to be listening to and repeating crude language regularly at school and in the streets. It doesn't matter when they hear it so long as they know it is only someones personal story. Like a point made earlier, I feel it is the parents job to make it clear that children should by no means start idolising Eminem to the extent that they imitate his actions. it is up to how a child is brought up and that they understand it is not to be copied, but to be enjoyed.