Research into music censorship (Miss Miller)

1. What is censorship? 

Censorship is the suppression of speech. Within the music industry an artist may find their video becoming censored if it is deemed, by governments, media outlets, authorities or other such entities, as objectionable, harmful, sensitive or politically incorrect. For instance most popularly an artist who features swearing within their song could find their lyrics to be bleeped out or be pressured to release a 'clean version' changing the offensive language with a more socially acceptable replacement. The authoritative figures will make this decision with the intention of protecting their audiences such as young children so they too are able to enjoy music on public music stations or TV music channels without bad influences and without concern and monitoring from the parent. This is as young children often idolise and admire music artists so may be easily impressionable and find the language and messages from within the song socially acceptable before their time. 

2. Who are Ofcom within the music industry? 

Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom. They review music videos pre release to determine the social acceptability of the video. This involves the videos concept, artists clothing and the lyrics. If the video does not meet their standards and patrolling guidelines an artist may find their music video banned or their lyrics censored. They often work alongside the artist giving them the opportunity to correct or change the song in order to still express their song and vision in a clean and approved manner. This is at least until 10 o'clock when the actual song and lyrics can be played as the artist intended on music channels and radio sites.

One example of an artist who has been censored through Ofcom is Eminem. For instance the song 'Kim' by Eminem was written by the artist as a ventilation at his ex wife Kim as they proceeded through the breakdown of their often volatile relationship and marriage. The song was banned as a result of the intentional nasty content featured within the lyrics and manner upon the song is performed as Eminem is seen to imitate his wife before killing her. The song was therefore banned and replaced with the clean version later renamed 'The Kids' as the song was said to promote and show a darker side to both domestic violence and murder in an aggressive intentional form. 

Miley Cyrus's video for "Wrecking Ball" became the most controversial and viral video of 2013 due to its features of the former teen star swinging naked on top of a wrecking ball and licking a sledgehammer. The video became the fastest viewed video of all time, reaching 100,000,000 views in just six days. A scene featuring a naked Cyrus was fully censored when it was aired on MTV.

3. Is censoring necessary? 
The censoring of a music video has received mixed opinions over whether it is necessary with a mixture of people stating both the benefits and drawbacks through 

Artist- In the opinion of the artist such a Eminem he believes that censoring has removed his freedom of speech, a human right, and he therefore can no longer express himself. As an artist of music, an artist uses a song to express a personal area of their lives and 

Record Label- For the record label, if an artist signed for them expresses themselves through inappropriate dances or lyrics they would most likely approve of censoring as then the song and video can be played freely upon all music channels and radios. This promotes the song further and enables everyone to listening the song helping boost the appearance and chances of the song being heard and makes it available to a wider audience. The most people who therefore listen and enjoy the song determines the success of the song so by only allowing a small percentage of an artist fan base or potential fan base to listen to the music as the artist intended would ultimately lead to the failure of the song. 

Parents FOR- Children can be very impressionable and susceptive to what they icons saying many imitating them to be just like them. As well as this children are impossible to monitor at all times so parents would take great comfort knowing they're child will not be exposed to indecent lyrics or videos without their knowing or parental consent. 

Parents AGAINST- Parents are a fan of music too and should not have to adapt their music tastes to suit they're child. A child can often benefit from, with guidance, being exposed to songs and videos which may otherwise be seen as indecent as it gives the parent an opportunity to in force whats right and wrong- fundamental lessons that kids learn regardless. By learning not to swear or copy certain words from a child's favourite artist is a lesson in forced by parents regardless rather than hearing it else where and not having the parental guidance to not repeat the artists words. As well as this children are often too naive to understand the true meaning of lyrics and parents often over compensate not considering that they're child will not know the true severity of a word or action demonstrated by an artists lyrics of video. 

Fans- I feel fans would have mixed opinions about whether or not to censor Eminem's music. This is as some may be a fan of his work and enjoy both the genre and messages he represents but through parental guidance or restrictions are unable to hear his music. Therefore they make appreciate the censoring of his music so they are still able to enjoy the music they like and appreciate the hype that surrounds the song as a fan would enjoy the song whether censored or not so through censoring his music Eminem ensures all his fans can enjoy his music rather than a select few. 
On the other hand the Fans of Eminem would want to hear his song the way he intended for it to be heard, hearing his vision as the message as he envisioned. They would therefore be against censoring as they should not have to listen to a different version for the benefit of a few, such a children who should not listen to his music and the channels he's played upon if they find his music offensive. 

4. Conclusion

In my opinion I do not find it necessary to censor artists. As an artist they are the equivalent to painters who are able to express them selves freely purely as young children are not exposed or have little interest within art. Through the popularity of their trade artist should not be punished through the withdrawal of their freedom of speech. They should be able to state what they wish and bring attention to issues such as murder and crime when problems such as these still air on the news. The music and entertainment industry should not be boycotted of issues such as these in the protection of children when they can still access the same issues on the everyday news. 

When creating my own music video I feel my group will not intentionaly abide to censorship rules. As our project we will express and convey the message of the song in a manner we wish unconsciously.