Research: Censorship and Music Videos by Jemar

what is music censorship?

Censorship is the act of altering certain words, statements or visual content in order to conform with and abide by rules constructed by laws in society. Music Videos are often banned or cut due to the explicit content it contains which may be seen as disturbing or inappropriate to the viewers. Music videos can be banned from a certain country or cut as may times as possible until it is appropriate for global marketing promotion. E.g. Rihanna - We found love.

Music video contents get censored in order to keep the audience away from the content which may be seen as too explicit to broadcast which is why often cuts are forced upon in order to release the video.

Discuss the difference explicit content and explicit lyrics.

Explicit Content

·         Explicit content tends to be when the video emphasises the likes of drugs, sex, controversial actions such as rape, violence and so on, this is normally included in a music video in order to visually appeal to the audience. This is also done to relate back to the video lyrically.

Explicit Lyrics

·         Explicit lyrics are similar to content however, this is when a music video is banned or cut due to the explicit lyrics it contains. These lyrics range from swearing to racial or sexual abuse. Lyrics that are found to be too explicit for promotion use are often blanked out in a music video however, this may change the meaning of the lyrics.

What things get censored?

·         Violence

·         Graphical representation & realism

·        Sexual contents

·         Animal cruelty

·         Discrimination

·         Racism

·         Drugs

·        

·         Political views

Difference between cut and banned.

Banned

·         When a music video is Banned it is removed from the viewing due to explicit visuals or lyrics it may contain. This is usually done solely to protect the audience from any harmful material that they'll be exposed whilst watching the video and listening to the lyrics.

Cut

·         When a music video is sent to be Cut, some bits of the video is then either edited to change certain explicit contents or just completely removed the scene is considered harmful. This is done to make the video more appropriate for audience viewing.

Advantages of censoring music videos

·         Promotes political awareness

·         Shields morals of society

·         Restricts explicit content

·         Protects public

·         Keeps industry clean

Disadvantages of censoring music videos

·         Changes the meaning of the lyrics

·         Artist emotion cannot be represented

·         Creativity restricted

·         Control people

Conclusion

From my evaluation of censorship I now know that it is in fact very important as anything seen to be harmful such as explicit lyrics and contents towards the audience can be censored for viewer’s safety. I will now make sure my video is clean and to a high standard in order to make a good impression for my artist.