"Censorship and the Entertainment Business"

by David J. Spangenberg
Music Business Consultant
Educator & Advisor
Contract Specialist

© 2004 David J. Spangenberg

We've all read, seen or heard of a number of cases where people were convinced that somebody killed someone, or committed suicide, or whatever, because they were influenced by some Artist's lyrics, or some Film or TV show's violence and sex.

Well, this "vocal minority" has caused some reaction from businesses worrying about losing customers, and politicians afraid of being on the wrong side of the fence. 

Examples: You probably remember, several years ago the Rap Group "NWA" caused a whole big ruckus regarding their lyrics.  A bunch of people wanted the album banned due to its "immoral lyrics" and, yes, a whole bunch of stores refused to sell it.  Even Warner Brothers, being careful as not to upset their stockholders, caved in and decided to drop certain Artists and their Record Company.  Also, I'm sure You've heard that even years ago, Tippy Gore, our Vice-president's wife, was part of a group of people that wanted records labeled as to their violent or sexual lyrics.

Now personally I don't mind them labeling records, or TV shows, or Films or whatever.  But banning them?  That's a whole different story - and a very dangerous one!

A couple hundred years ago, Congress instituted an Amendment to our Constitution guaranteeing the American people "Freedom of Speech".  Now what would happen if in just one case, a person's personal freedom was denied?  This could cause one of the most dangerous things that could ever happen: it's called "Setting a Precedent". 

Setting a precedent can be explained by using an example.  Say that a judge rules that NWA's record is "indecent" and bars the record company from ever releasing that record to the public.  [Or they bar Ellen's "coming out" episode from being shown on TV, or "He Got Game", which has an interracial affair, from being released in theaters, or "Catcher In The Rye" which has cursing in it from being banned in libraries].  The next time somebody finds something "wrong" with a record, [or a TV show, or a Film] and they take it to court, a judge may ask if there is a "precedent".  In other words, did some judge rule in favor of banning something of the like before.  If so, this makes it much easier for this judge to ban this new record, show, or film.  [And, by the way, they could use the banning of a record, to ban a film - it's not as far-fetched as You may think!]

Guess what?  You now have the beginnings of a domino effect.  One thing is banned after another.  You are told what records You may listen to, what shows You may watch, what books You may read…  In short, You have no freedom of choice- just like You lived under a dictatorship.

Look, I bet there isn't one person, including myself, who hasn't at sometime been so angry with someone that they wish this person was dead!  However, I bet there's no one reading this who would actually go ahead and commit this act.  Yes, I'm sure there are a small amount of unstable people who just need that one thing to set them off; that excuse to do what they would have eventually done anyway!

As for people trying to protect their children, well, I'm sorry to have to inform them that, unless they keep their child locked up in a closet, with no friends, newspapers, TV, etc., they're gonna be exposed to what's happening in the real world. 

Look, personally, in my songs, I don't believe in graphically saying something like, "I want to Fuck You, girl!"  I'd rather be a little more sensual.  [I can't help it; I'm a hopeless romantic.]  And, I would never say in a song that I advocate killing someone - I don't believe in preaching or telling someone what's right for him or her to do.  [I wouldn't want someone telling ME what I should do!  Would You want somebody telling YOU what You should do?!].  And, I personally don't like graphically gory films.

However, who am I to tell someone what is right for them and what is wrong for them.  I will continue to be sensual in songs, not advocate killing, and not see gory films.  That's my choice- and I insist on that freedom!  That's me!

And, I have no right to take that freedom away from You! 

The Pooch

Additional notes:

#1.            Ironically, I'm sure You've noticed that, when an Artist or his/her record is "vilified" or "condemned" in one fashion or another, he/she and/or the record is given plenty of press.  And, of course, Press = Publicity = an increase in sales.  [I have a film producer friend, who will remain nameless, who purposely makes sure his films are at first rated "NC17", which causes a stink in the press and gives him free publicity.  At that point he "comes back" to an "R", which he intended to do anyway, and uses the NC17 rated version outside of the USA.]  Remember, the oldest saying in show business is: "I don't care if You say something good about me or bad about me- just spell my name right!"  In other words, the people complaining are actually helping sell the product!

#2.            Several years ago, to make a very valid point, Johnny Carson did a skit on "Nursery Rhymes" to underline the fact that people could read into anything whatever they wanted to - whether it was intended or not.  One of his examples:  "Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water…"   "Yeah, right" he said.  Think about it.  If people had wanted to, and if they were "looking for something", could have interpreted it as Jack and Jill had something else on their minds besides fetching some water up on that hill!

#3            For those of You who have never read the book or seen the film, I recommend reading/seeing "Fahrenheit 451" - where the domino effect eventually led to all books being burned (451o is the temperature that books are supposed to burn.)]

            the Pooch

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