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__ **Music** **Censorship in the U.S. and Other Countries** __

Many music groups and musicians consider their music to be expression of self, but with many censorship difficulties in the United States musicians are finding this hard to do. This site will provide information on music censorship in the United States and how it compares to other countries as well.


 * What is music censorship?**

Throughout history music censorship has shown cases of censorship in forms such as banned concerts, cover art, clothing, and lyrics.

Music censorship can be a versatile definition because music can be censored in many ways. Martin Cloonan writes, in an excerpt from //Shoot The Singer!// (2004), that music censorship is when "some person or body prevents a musician from performing musical work." Cloonan also comments that censorship could have all kinds of cases. Cases including the question "Does censoship occur when a radio station does not play an artist's material because they think the audience will not like the style? This could be an issue with all country music or all rap stations. (1)


 * Censorship V.S. United States Rights**

Some musicians and organizations consider music censorship a violation of First Amendment rights. The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." (3)

According to the First Amendment censorship of music and lyrics should not exist if freedom of speech is guaranteed. In some cases one could argue that being banned from performing a concert could be a violation of freedom to assemble.

According Nigel Williamson's article //Banned!// censorship of music is "alarmingly widespread." Williamson states that even in the United States, where the right to free expression is stated in the Constitution, a large debate rages over entertainment content. (2).

View a timeline of United States censorship on music here.




 * Who ce****nsors music?**

If censoring music is considered an act that is unconstitutional who is given the right to censor music?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.(4)
 * FCC**

Learn more about the FCC's duties here


 * Radio Stations**

Not only can the FCC regulate what is played on the radio but so can radio stations. One example of a radio station that censors their own music is Clear Channel Radio. Clear Channel Communications is a global media and entertainment company. They specialize in mobile and on-demand entertainment and information services for communities and advertisers. They are based in San Antonio, Texas, the company's businesses include radio and outdoor displays. If you would like to know more about Clear Channel click here

Read more about the FCC and Clear Channel attempts to edit artists Eminem and Green Day here.


 * Organizations against music censorship**

FREEMUSE: Freemuse is an independent international organisation which advocates freedom of expression for musicians and composers worldwide. Visit freemuse's site here

Music Censorship in other countries U.S. Music Censorship timeline FCC and Clear Channel
 * Other Pages**

(1) Korpe, M. (2004). //Shoot the singer!//. New York, NY: Zed Books Ltd.
 * References**

(2) Williamson, N. (2004). Banned!. //Billboard//, //116//(21), 1-60.

(3) //The United states constituation: the first amendment//. (1996, November 1). Retrieved from []

(4)About the Fcc//. (2010, April 9). Retrieved from [|www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html]//