Montgomery Blair High School

Critical Thinking Paper

Censorship in the Music Industry

Boone Schaffer

Communication Arts Program

Ms. Jeral

6 April 2020

Boone Schaffer
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Ms. Jeral

Communications Arts Paper

6 April 2020

Censorship in the Music Industry

Since the creation of the Parental Advisory label (PAL) by the Recording Industry

Association of America (RIAA) in the 1980s, many forms of music have been restricted and

considered unsuitable for minors. In this essay I will advocate for a divergent argument. The

RIAA should give high school students over the age of 16 unrestricted access to music because

there is no clearly defined standard of obscenity or public decency since there is legal precedent

that protects offensive speech and artistic expression that some find crude, vulgar, or socially

unacceptable. Also, some municipalities, like local and state governments, allow minors to have

certain rights. For example, The City of Takoma Park allows citizens who are 16 years of age to

vote in local elections. Is it logical to allow a 16 year old to vote, but deny them the right to listen

to the music of their choice? Lastly, enforcement of explicit labeling does not prevent access to

explicit music and lyrics. Streaming services and social media sites like YouTube, Spotify, and

Instagram provide easy access and ways to share explicit music and lyrics.

The lack of a clearly defined and constitutionally sound community standard of what

defines public decency is the first hurdle that proponents of music lyric censorship need to

overcome. One example of a lack of a clearly defined standard of obscenity is the case of United

States v. Playboy Entertainment Group (2000), when the company was taken to court because

they were accused of airing content that was considered unsuitable for minors on their cable

television channel, Playboy TV. Despite these accusations the court ruled that

the,“Telecommunications Act of 1996 violated the First Amendment because it restricted speech
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based on content and there was a less speech-restrictive alternative available to protect minors

from harmful material on cable television.” (Middle Tennessee State University). If Playboy

Entertainment Group is permitted to air premium adult-content on cable television, why is some

music deemed unsuitable for minors and must be censored on the radio?

Another example of a lack of a clearly defined standard of obscenity is the censorship of

explicit music on the radio in the 1980s, specifically rap music. A popular rap group in the

1980s, N.W.A., released a song titled, “Fuck Tha Police.” The song was instantly banned from

being aired on the radio and the group was not allowed to perform it live at any venues. If people

had been more informed they may have understood that the song was not created to inspire

violence, but to protest police brutality and racial profiling after the group was harassed by the

Torrance Police Department. “The song was ranked number 425 on Rolling Stone's list of the

500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and, “continues to influence pop culture today in the form of

T-shirts, artwork, political expression, and has transitioned into other genres as seen in the cover

versions by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Dope, Rage Against the Machine, and Kottonmouth Kings

(featuring Insane Clown Posse).” (Wikipedia). This is just one example of how the use of free

speech and artistic expression can be deemed as vulgar and violent even though it addresses

legitimate issues people are facing in their everyday lives.

A final example of a lack of clearly defined standard of obscenity is the, “Filthy 15,” a

list created by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). “The Parents Music Resource Center

was an American committee formed in 1985 with the stated goal of increasing parental control

over the access of children to music deemed to have violent, drug-related or sexual themes via

labeling albums with Parental Advisory stickers.” (Wikipedia). One of the songs on the list

included a song, titled, “We're Not Gonna Take It,” by Twisted Sister. The song was put on the
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list because the PMRC believed it provoked violence. The song was not written to provoke

violence, but to protest oppression. “In our interview with Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider,

he explained: ‘With 'We're Not Gonna Take It,' whether I was singing about my parents, my

teachers, my bosses, my peers, people around me, I felt it was important not to define it by

actually naming names and singing, 'Dad, you're so trite and jaded, I hate my teachers, too.' And

thus, the song has had a life in sporting events, at political rallies, at protests, pretty much

anybody who's not taking something from somebody else, they're going to break into 'We're Not

Gonna Take It' all over the world.’”.

While there are several additional powerful arguments that delegitimize the censorship of

certain music, perhaps the most convincing is the reality that some people want to seek to

prevent minors from exposure to music, while those same minors are able to cast votes in

municipal elections. “Next month, Takoma Park residents as young as 16 will be able to cast

ballots in municipal elections, thanks to a change approved by the city council earlier this

spring.” (Cournoyer). It seems very odd that a city government believes that older teenagers

have the maturity to determine who will govern their community, but the RIAA doesn't believe

older teenagers have the maturity to listen to music with explicit lyrics without turning into drug

addicts, sexual predators, and violent criminals..

According to the Maryland Age Consent Laws 2020, “The Maryland Age of Consent is

16 years old. In the United States, the age of consent is the minimum age at which an individual

is considered legally old enough to consent to participation in sexual activity.” (Age of Consent

Laws). It's inexplicable that some state governments allow citizens as young as 16 years of age to

engage in sexual activity, but the RIAA seeks to censor music with explicit lyrics that may

reference sexual activity.

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The Motion Picture Association of America is responsible for rating all motion pictures

before they are shown in movie theaters. Minors who are at least 13 years of age can view a PG-

13 movie in a public theater without the direct supervision of an adult. “PG-13 is a common type

of content rating that applies to media entertainment, such as films and television shows,

generally denoting, ‘Parental Guidance: some material may be inappropriate for children 13 and

under.’”. (Wikipedia). Some of this material includes artistic nudity and adult themes. Are we

actually allowing our youth to watch Jack draw Rose nude in Titanic (1997), but continuing to

censor music for containing content that is not nearly close to as inappropriate as a movie that

can be watched by a middle school student.

Lastly I will discuss how censorship fails to prevent minors from accessing music that

contains explicit music and lyrics. “Many Canadian radio stations will not play music with

explicit lyrics, but young children can easily access music by controversial artists by watching

their music videos online.” (Media Smarts). Why even include a Parental Advisory label on an

album when the music can be accessed by young children without the supervision of their

parents?

With the widespread use of social media, it is easier than ever for minors to receive,

view, and share inappropriate content. “Now comes a poll from the UK that shares data that

more than 50% of 11-17 year olds have viewed violent, sexual or adult oriented material on

social media. Many parents are completely unaware this has occurred.” (Payeur). With easy

access to inappropriate content it is important that we prioritize censoring content that is most

detrimental.

It is also easy for minors to acquire tickets to live concerts where alcohol and drug use,

and sexual activity may be present. “Venues. So that's one face of a relatively newish
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phenomenon, the all-ages concert, often held in a bar or other licensed facility but with underage

kids allowed to attend.” (Today's Parent). It is a contradiction that the RIAA seeks to censor

music with inappropriate lyrics and content, but does not seek to take further action to prevent

minors from attending venues that allow artists who perform music that is explicit.

It is understandable that parents would seek to protect their children from exposure to

information and content that they deem to be harmful. Not all minors have the capacity to

distinguish between satire, political commentary, and actual calls to perpetrate violence. In

addition, schools have eliminated civics education which would provide a forum for discussion

of some kinds of speech that certain citizens may deem inappropriate. Movies and radio have

glorified some kinds of violence, objectification of women, and an image of being tough that can

encourage bullying and homophobia.

In summary, the lack of a clearly defined community standard of decency, the provision

of legal consent and voting rights to minors, and the lack of an ability to actually prevent minors

from accessing explicit material all make the continued censorship from the RIAA illogical and

irrational.

Annotated Bibliography

“Playboy TV.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Apr. 2020, en.wikipedia.org

This source provides information about Playboy TV, which was a cable TV channel that

aired premium adult-content.

Gibson, James T. “United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group.” United States v.

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Playboy Entertainment Group, www.mtsu.edu

This source provides information on the controversial court of the United States v.

Playboy Entertainment Group. the company was taken to court because they were accused

of airing content that was considered unsuitable for minors on their cable television

channel, Playboy TV.

“Fuck Tha Police.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Mar. 2020, en.wikipedia.org

This source provides information on an N.W.A. song, titled, “Fuck Tha Police.” The song

became very controversial upon release.

“Parents Music Resource Center.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Apr. 2020,

en.wikipedia.org

This source provides information on the PMRA. The PMRA seeks to control music

accessed by children which may have inappropriate content.

Cross, Alan. “Anyone Remember the PMRC?” A Journal of Musical Things, 15 Sept.

2015, www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/anyone-remember-the-pmrc/.

This source provides information on the PMRA’s, “Filthy 15,” list. The list was created

to label songs that the organization considered to be explicit, and content references of

sexual activity, violence, drugs, and alcohol.

Songfacts. “We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister - Songfacts.” Song Meanings at

Songfacts, www.songfacts.com

This source provides information on a Twisted Sister song, titled,“We're Not Gonna Take

It.” The song became very controversial upon release.

Cournoyer, Caroline. “Takoma Park, Md., Gives 16-Year-Olds the Right to Vote.”

Governing, www.governing.com
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This source provides information about a decision made by The City of Takoma Park.

They now allow citizens over the age of 16 years to vote in local elections.

“Maryland Age of Consent Laws 2020.” Maryland Age of Consent & Statutory Rape

Laws, www.ageofconsent.net

This source provides information on the legal age of consent in Maryland. In the state

you must be 16 years of age to consent to sexual activity.

“PG-13 (Disambiguation).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Nov. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org

This source provides information on the PG-13 rating by the MPAA. PG-13 rated films

can include artistic nudity and adult themes.

Payeur, Justin. “Adult Content on Social Media Exists.” Boomerang, 20 July 2016,

useboomerang.com

This source provides information on how children use social media. It is very easy for

children to access inappropriate content on social media.

Bennett, Holly. “All-Ages Concerts.” Today's Parent, 18 June 2013,

www.todaysparent.com

This source provides information about concert venues allowing minors to attend shows

that have content that may not be appropriate for children. These venues sometimes also

have bars which serve alcohol during shows.

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Works Cited

“Playboy TV.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Apr. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki

Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

Gibson, James T. “United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group.” United States v.

Playboy Entertainment Group, www.mtsu.edu Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

“Fuck Tha Police.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Mar. 2020, en.wikipedia.org

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“Parents Music Resource Center.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Apr. 2020,

en.wikipedia.org Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

Cross, Alan. “Anyone Remember the PMRC?” A Journal of Musical Things, 15 Sept.

2015, www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

Songfacts. “We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister - Songfacts.” Song Meanings at

Songfacts, www.songfacts.com Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

Cournoyer, Caroline. “Takoma Park, Md., Gives 16-Year-Olds the Right to Vote.”

Governing, www.governing.com Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

“Maryland Age of Consent Laws 2020.” Maryland Age of Consent & Statutory Rape

Laws, www.ageofconsent.net Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

“PG-13 (Disambiguation).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Nov. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org

Payeur, Justin. “Adult Content on Social Media Exists.” Boomerang, 20 July 2016,

useboomerang.com Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.

Bennett, Holly. “All-Ages Concerts.” Today's Parent, 18 June 2013,

www.todaysparent.com Accessed 5 Apr. 2020.