Music Industry Censorship Essay, Research Paper

The PMRC was founded in May of 1985. (Tipper) In November of 1985 the

PMRC met with the Recording Industry Association of America. The two organizations

made an agreement that a label saying Explicit Lyrics-Parental Advisory should be

placed on albums containing obscenities, or sexual lyrics.

The main parent leading the PMRC is Al Gores wife, Tipper Gore. Tipper Gore

seems to be ruining her husbands chances at ever becoming president. The problem is that

the entertainment industry, which would mean a lot of votes in Al Gores corner, would be

leaving him because the record label companies major money makers are artists who use

lyrics which pertain to sex, drugs, and violence. (Tipper).

On July seventh there was a major defeat of a second censorship bill in Louisiana

that would have made it legal to sell stickered albums to minors. Officials from the RIAA,

and the National Association of Recording Merchandise were very pleased. (Explicit).

For other legal areas, Minneapolis Cities attorney general has informed Minnesota

attorney general, Hubert H Humphry III, that the sale of N.W.A album Efil4zaggin to

minors is not prosecutable under state, and local laws. (Minnesota). The albums content

as a whole did not satisfy the definition of, harmful to minors as set forth by the state and

city statutes. On July 26, Humphrey asked the Minneapolis attorney general to stop the

sale of the rap album to minors. On August 16, the Minneapolis attorney general, sent a

letter to Humphrey regarding the album, stating, that all sixteen tracks on the album did

not violate any laws, and that the album would still be sold to minors .(Efil4zaggin).

A political group called Rock Out Censorship has lead the fight against

stickering albums containing lyrics that are profane and sexual. (freedom). The leaders

of this group, John Woods and Randy Lee Payton, produce a monthly newspaper

dedicated to exposing, and fighting censorship. (Freedom). The pair are accustomed to

censorship efforts from religious rights fighters, and especially angry with so called

liberals who support music censorship. The organization holds a concert once a year

with performances be many bands whose albums are censored and don t want it that way.

“Outraged by songs that focus on weird sex, violence, drugs, alcohol, and evil

devil worship, lawmakers in 16 states have introduced legislation that would require

special warning labels on records considered unsuitable for young people.” (Manning, 10)

Some stores which sell CD’s will not carry albums which contain obscenities or sell them

to anyone under the age of 18. While 16 states have laws which makes labeling

mandatory, “the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has initiated a

voluntary, nationwide campaign to label objectionable albums with the uniform sticker:

Parental Advisory Explicit Lyrics.” (Manning, 10). The PMRC is the most strongly

fought against organization by people who are against censorship. Although, Tipper Gore

says that she and the PMRC are “strongly opposed to censorship and all that we ever

wanted was to provide consumer info so that we can make an informed choice in the

stores.” (Manning, 16).

Labeling is not a form of censorship, it is just a way to inform people of what they

are buying. To prevent the public from gaining access to obscene materials the

government is limiting this access greatly. In Georgia five nationally know artists, two of

which are, Bobby Brown, and Gene Simmons were arrested in 1989 for “suggestive”

performances. Also, in Alabama a record store owner was arrested for selling a rap

cassette by 2 Live Crew, whose music was illegal to sell, to an undercover policeman.

Lyrics in music are said to be protected by the first amendment which states that:

“Congress Shall make no law representing an establishment of religion, or

prohibiting the free exercise there of, abridging the freedom of speech or of the

press, or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and petition the

government for a redress or grievances.” (Nuzem).

Although when lyrics and music can lead to violence, and death, music should be

able to be censored. Three youths from Canada committed suicide the same week that

Kurt Cobain did. Also, the youths from Columbine High School that committed the

shootings which occurred in 1999 were supposedly driven by the lyrics of KMFDM. One

solution for the problem in lyrics is that Record Companies devise different versions of an

album, a clear,and uncut. Luther Campbell, president, owner and CEO of Luke Records,

says “My daughters want to be able to jump around to the same music daddy’s jumping to,

but they’ve gotta have the clean version version.” (Benesch, 42). Campbell also says “It’s

a good to have the clean version, because you run into situations where you want your

music to get played at malls , and skating rinks.” (Benesh, 42).

“In 1976 the Supreme Court case of Young v. American Minitheaters, stated that

all broadcasts had to be held at a reasonable time, place, and manner, and that this is

consistent with the first amendment.” (FCC, 35). The FCC (Federal Communication

Commission) will regulate indecent broadcasts and set fourth the standards that will be

used. According to kkBt’s Janes, “some artists feel that the FCC’s mandate to change

words in songs for radio is an obstruction of freedom of speech and should not be aloud.”

(Benesch,42)

All in all, by the first amendment a person should be able to express themselves by

the way of freedom of speech. First of all, if this right were to be taken away, it would be

a violation of the constitution. Secondly, if this right were to be taken away, what will the

final effect be? Will we end up in a civilization similar to that of the book Farenheit 451,

in which it was against the law to own a book, and there were consequences to keeping

one in the house. Or will television be completely censored? How about newspapers.

What about movies? Will there be no more movies with adult language, violence, or

nudity? How about we go back to the 1800 s and have segregated schools. The

constitution s amendment s were written not to be changed, or dismissed from the

constitution. Is the Land of the Free s freedom going to be taken away because certain

people with power don t like a type of music. This is just a start to the end of are

freedom.