Rap Music Should Be Censored (From Violence in the Media, P 166-168, 1995, Carol Wekesser, ed. -- See NCJ-160238)

• NCJ Number: 160265
• Author(s): J Alter
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 3 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From "Let's Stop Crying Wolf on Censorship," Newsweek, November 29, 1993.

Annotation

Those who defend offensive rap lyrics and oppose the regulation of such music do not acknowledge the difference between censorship and regulation; the government should not censor music, but the record companies and the rap artists themselves have a responsibility to regulate music that might promote violence in listeners.

Abstract

Real "censorship" is when the government bans books in school libraries, prosecutes artists and writers for their work, seizes pornography, and exercises prior restraint. Efforts by the public to encourage rappers, record-company executives, radio stations, and television stations to avoid the production or dispensing of songs that encourage antisocial, criminal, and harmful behavior is not censorship. Such action by the public is designed to motivate artists and associated industries to act responsibly in deciding what they will present to the public. This is not an argument for composing music and lyrics that do not offend anyone; rather it is a plea for a responsible assessment of the impact of the music on its listeners' attitudes and behaviors. Even music that is offensive to some segment of the public should have positive value for another segment. Music without positive value for anyone should not be produced.