Do you think music videos should be censored?

Censorship

Censorship can stop a song/video from being broadcasted on radio/television, however just because it has been stopped from being broadcasted on television or radio its still available on the internet for young children to get access too. Either governing bodies can stop the publication of a product or text, or some artist/institution choose to censor their music even if governing bodies do not. Censorship has been on the radio since the 1940's. George Formby's "When I'm Cleaning Windows" was banned from BBC radio due to 'smutty lyrics' - this would be inappropriate for BBc radio's target audience. Also in 1956 ABC radio refused to play Billie Holidays "Love for sale" because it was about prostitution therefore inappropriate for a younger audience. However its not just the music that is banned from television or the radio. The Beastie Boys were banned from the show Top of the pops as the Top of the pops producers thought the band would promote 'boyish ways'. Ofcom is an independent organisation which controls censorship therefore its their responsiblity to show what is on television and radio.

There are lots of Rihanna songs which have been censored as they are inappropriate to certain people. In Rihanna's song 'We found love' she pushes the boundaries several times by glamorizing; smoking, drugs, alcohol, nudity, taking pills, sex, stealing, wrecking the shop, gambling, domestic violence, being drunk and ambulances. In this music video Rihanna promotes drugs, however not in a negative way, she glamorizes it. She show throughout this music video while doing drugs you have fun. Rihanna also pushes the boundaries by promoting stealing and wrecking a shop. This pushes the boundaries as Rihanna appeals to a large target audience therefore she is promoting theft and damaging things to a large audience which may influence her audience to follow what she does as it looks fun, or because she wants to be like Rihanna.

Also in this music video Rihanna promotes gambling to her young target audience too, even though while gambling Rihanna loses she is still promoting it and as she puts more money in the machine it shows that its an addiction. Rihanna's target audience may follow in Rihanna steps and copy what she does so they can be more like her. This music video has been censored as there are several things throughout this music video which may influence her audience. 

Another music video which has been censored was Rihanna's song S&M. This song was censored in England, only 1 minute of it was shown on television and then the song finished as it was inappropriate for certain viewers. However this song was banned in 11 countries as it was inappropriate. Even though it was censored on television, it was still played on radio stations however some of the lyrics - 'Chains and whips excite me' - were censored as it was inappropriate for the younger viewers. This music video was also censored on the internet the only way you could watch this video was if you had an email address, however it would be easy to setup an email address and pretend that your 18 so you can access this video.

Another artist which has had a music video censored is Pink. In Pinks music video - Perfect - some of the lyrics are censored as there are swear words throughout the lyrics which is inappropriate to some viewers. This music video also has been censored and changed and is only fully viewed after the water shed as during the video, there are scenes which contain self harm and sex - which is also inappropriate for certain viewers. Both on the television and the radio the lyrics during this song are censored. Although on the internet you can view the uncensored version of the song without entering your email address - therefore this music video is available and easy to access for anyone who has access to the internet.

In our class we had a debate on whether Eminems music should be censored or not as the world argue over whether his music should be censored or whether it should stay original. We were put into groups and we were either; Eminem, his record label, fans, parents, radio station, music channel, young boy and an adult who has grown up with Eminem's music.

We came to the conclusion that the artist - Eminem - would disagree and say that his music should not be censored as his music and lyrics are not meant to offend people and his music is his voice of opinions and his views. Also even though he is an influential person within the music video and around the world, its down to parents whether their children should listen to his music or not.

Eminem's record labels - Slim Shady - opinion is that everything Eminem talks about within his music is already out in the media and people already speak about it. When Eminem talks about other artist he does not make rumours up, they are already known in the world. Eminem's record label also thought that even if Eminem's music is censored it wont stop people from hearing his music as children may sit on a bus and still hear his music or hear bad language.

MTV said that they do not play Eminem's music as he can make conflict with other artist for example Lindsay Lohan, Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse, because of some of Eminem's music videos while he is mocking some artists their fans may not watch MTV as they may take offense and stop watching this program.On the other hand Kiss thinks that Eminem is a popular artist and his audience likes him therefore there is not a problem with playing his music on the radio station and music channel, however they censor bad language as it may be inappropriate and offensive to some people. During the debate Radio 1 said they play Eminem's music as it's entertaining, also his music and lyrics are diverse and is current. Eminem's music appeals to the audience and is in the charts - this is why they play his music regularly.

Eminem's fans who believe that Eminem's music should not be censored thought that whether people listen to Eminem's music or another artists music they will still be influenced, therefore Eminem is not different to any other artist. These fans also thought that Eminem is an inspiration as he has shown the world that if you work hard you will succeed - in the film 8 mile. On the other hand fans who thought that Eminems music should be censored thought it should be censored as even though they enjoy his music and on the surface the music is good, if you dig deep there are hidden meanings, therefore they would not recommend Eminem's music to younger siblings.

A 10 year old debated that if parents complain about bad language they should take it into their own hands and should not give children smartphones or laptops where they will have access to Eminems music. The 10 year old also said that Eminems music and lyrics do not influence people and whether Eminem's music is censored or not people in school will still talk about. A 21 year old who has grown up with Eminem's music said that Eminem's music is an inspiration to people as when he was younger he had nothing and his mum was a single parent and when his uncle died he had to drop out of school and get a job so he could provide for his family. They also said that even though they have grown up with Eminems music he has not influenced them to do negative things for example have guns etc but influenced them to try hard and in the end they will succeed.

Parents who believe that Eminem's music should not be censored said that Eminem is an inspirational artist as he shows you in - 8 mile - a film he was in, where he shows you that if you work hard you will succeed. Therefore he is a good role model as he encourages his fans to work hard. During the debate the parents also said that if Eminems fans who are children have the right upbringing, then his music and lyrics will not affect their childrens therefore there is no reason why Eminems music should be censored.

Overall the people who thought that Eminems music should be censored thought that the artist can influence people to do negative things what Eminem talks about in his songs. Also they thought that Eminem encourages people to swear and if they drop out of school they will become famous just like Eminem did. Although on the other hand some people thought that Eminems music should not be censored as they said that children will find out what the artists lyrics means as they are smart and people undermine children therefore censorship is pointless. They also thought that people who think that his music should be censored take Eminem to seriously.

In my opinion I believe that Eminems music should not be censored as me, my brothers and my friends have grown up with Eminems music and he has not influenced us to do anything negative. I think that Eminem's music make children more streetwise and aware of things that happen in the world. Also that Eminem's music and lyrics are about his past and his experience - therefore his inspirational and if Eminems music is censored then it will have changed Eminems representation of an inspirational artist and his music would not be as real as it will have been changed. Also Eminem has been praised for having verbal energy and high quality of lyricism therefore Eminems music should not be censored as his lyrics and music have affected the world in a positive way, as his videos are usually funny and keeps his audience entertained.

Me and my group will follow the censorship rules as we will not have an inappropriate material within our music video. We have decided this as the lyrics to the song - Say My Name (Spectrum) - does not have any inappropriate lyrics, also the ideas - love - we have for our music video as appropriate for all ages, however our music video still caters towards our target audience.