Censorship of Music: Limiting One’s Rights

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Music has been under scrutiny on behalf of censorship for decades. Censorship is defined as an authorization to examine material and to remove or suppress what is considered morally, politically, or otherwise objectionable. Lyrics are essential to nearly everything in music; its poems, ballads, monologues, etc. They may take the form of actual spoken or sung sounds or of written words, as literature does. Without the musical component, you’re left with literature and words; this leaves the heated debate as to whether music should be censored or not. Music should be used as an expression of freedom and should not be overtly scrutinized as to what is appropriate because it is simply futile and a violation of freedom of speech because in almost every case, banned music or the creation of “edited” music has been disregarded and people have gotten to the uncensored versions nevertheless. Changing and censoring lyrics to music can completely change or even ruin the meaning of the song, and in addition censoring music can be compared to tyrannical regimes with the intention of censoring things that people see and/or hear, and frankly it’s violation of our constitution. Censorship is literally ineffective because people are able to effortlessly find an unrestricted version of a song. With the New Age of media there is the availability of the internet and websites like iTunes; it’s simple for people to discover uncensored songs with no dilemma. So what’s the point of editing songs that people, especially minors, are going to eventually find the original song anyhow? According to journalist and musician of New York, Steven Wishnia, in times of sensitivity (post 9/11), songs were banned from the radio that w... ... middle of paper ... ...ected by our freedom of speech; it is liberty of expression and the artist's right to the pursuit of happiness. Whether it is music, TV, movies, or video games; in the end it is all art, and art should not be suppressed. No matter how offensive or politically incorrect it is some people may interpret different things, they do not have to engage in such policies. These are reasons why I am against government regulations of the media, especially my favorite form of art; music. Work Cited Wishnia, Steven. "Bad Transmission: Clear Channel's Hit List." Web Archive. LiPmagazine, 10 Oct. 2004. Web. 19 Sep 2011. "Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression." U.S. Constitution Online. Craig Walenta, 24 Jan. 2010. Web. 19 Sep 2011. "Music Censorship: Violating Innocence or Freedom?." Blogspot. Blogger, 27 Sep. 2010. Web. 19 Sep. 2011.

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