Pros and Cons - Debbie Newman, Ben Woolgar 2014

Music lyrics, censorship of
Section F. Culture, education and sport

The censorship of music could cover lyrics containing expletive words, racism and misogyny, espousing or glorifying violence, using explicit sexual imagery, condoning drug use or any other such messages which support illegal behaviour. Rap and hip-hop in particular have been accused of spreading social problems through their lyrics, but all kinds of music could be targeted by this policy. Should freedom of artistic expression be absolute, or should the government intervene in the name of protecting all its citizens from violence and discrimination?

Pros

[1] Uncensored music is dangerous. The right of expression is undermined by the collective right to freedom from the violence and poor societal values which certain music promotes.

[2] Music artists are role models, having influence over their fans. Those listening to violent or discriminatory lyrics can be influenced in their own actions by the behaviour that their hero glorifies. Music is not like films, TV or video games when the audience knows that it is fantasy. Musicians are themselves and are understood to be singing about their own lives. Therefore, the lifestyle that they espouse seems achievable and aspirational. In particular, music which glamorises gang culture can push people into joining gangs.

[3] Music lyrics can affect the subconscious because they are listened to repeatedly, but often without deliberate concentration. They are not therefore considered and challenged, but rather seep into people’s thought processes in an insidious way. A continual diet of misogyny, homophobia and casual violence affects the societal norms for those listening in a highly damaging way.

[4] It is very difficult to keep children from listening to music, available as it is on the radio, TV and Internet. Children are particularly susceptible to being affected by the negative messages that are being sent. The Columbine High School massacre (2004) has been linked to the violent rock music that the perpetrators listened to.

[5] All of society would benefit from not having to hear the vile outpourings of the worst lyrics. You cannot shield yourself from music, and so many people are offended by having to listen to the boasting about violence to women and homosexuals, and the sexual conquests and drug taking of the singer or rapper. The more extreme the lyrics, the more notoriety the artist gets, so the culture purveys increasingly outrageous content.

Cons

[1] Freedom of speech must be protected. The government should not be censoring words, which can offend but not hurt its citizens. The government should pass laws against violence and intimidation and enforce these, but go no further in restricting liberty.

[2] Music does not create reality, it reflects reality. Gang culture, violence and prejudice are what many people grow up with and they have as much right to sing about, or listen to, their experiences as anyone else. Romantic love and social tolerance are not themes that resonate for everyone, which is why earthier music is often very popular. Artists often are singing or rapping in character — for example, Eminem as Slim Shady — and the listeners understand this even if wider society does not.

[3] Violence plays a part in most art forms and always has, as it is part of the human condition that art seeks to examine. Films, TV and the visual arts all contain examples of gratuitous violence. Music along with literature may actually have less of an effect on the consumer as they do not contain the graphic images that make the violence so real and immediate. It is important to protect artistic expression from government control as art often seeks to challenge authority.

[4] Parents should be monitoring the music their children listen to along with monitoring their Internet use and viewing habits. Adults cannot have their liberty restricted because an activity is unsuitable for children.

[5] The fact that the privileged, educated, white chattering classes find street culture offensive does not give them the right to ban it. Shakespeare’s plays can be gruesome, classic literature can be anti-Semitic and opera can be sexist, yet there are no calls for these to be banned. Society should be able to accommodate all art.

Possible motions

This House would censor music lyrics.

This House would censor rap and hip-hop.

Related topics

Censorship by the state

Pornography