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The PMRC was founded in May of 1985. (Tipper) In November of 1985 the PMRC met with the Recording Industry Association of America. The two organizations made an agreement that a label saying Explicit Lyrics-Parental Advisory should be placed on albums containing obscenities, or sexual lyrics. The main parent leading the PMRC is Al Gores wife, Tipper Gore. Tipper Gore seems to be ruining her husbands chances at ever becoming president.
The problem is that the entertainment industry, which would mean a lot of votes in Al Gores corner, would be leaving him because the record label companies major money makers are artists who use lyrics which pertain to sex, drugs, and violence. (Tipper). On July seventh there was a major defeat of a second censorship bill in Louisiana that would have made it legal to sell stickers albums to minors. Officials from the RIAA, and the National Association of Recording Merchandise were very pleased. (Explicit). For other legal areas, Minneapolis Cities attorney general has informed Minnesota attorney general, Hubert H Humphry III, that the sale of N.
W. A album Efil 4 zag gin to minors is not prosecutable under state, and local laws. (Minnesota). The albums content as a whole did not satisfy the definition of, harmful to minors as set forth by the state and city statutes. On July 26, Humphrey asked the Minneapolis attorney general to stop the sale of the rap album to minors. On August 16, the Minneapolis attorney general, sent a letter to Humphrey regarding the album, stating, that all sixteen tracks on the album did not violate any laws, and that the album would still be sold to minors. (Efil 4 zag gin). A political group called Rock Out Censorship has lead the fight against sticking albums containing lyrics that are profane and sexual. (freedom).
The leaders of this group, John Woods and Randy Lee Payton, produce a monthly newspaper dedicated to exposing, and fighting censorship. (Freedom). The pair are accustomed to censorship efforts from religious rights fighters, and especially angry with so called liberals who support music censorship. The organization holds a concert once a year with performances be many bands whose albums are censored and don t want it that way. Outraged by songs that focus on weird sex, violence, drugs, alcohol, and evil devil worship, lawmakers in 16 states have introduced legislation that would require special warning labels on records considered unsuitable for young people. (Manning, 10) Some stores which sell CDs will not carry albums which contain obscenities or sell them to anyone under the age of 18. While 16 states have laws which makes labeling mandatory, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has initiated a voluntary, nationwide campaign to label objectionable albums with the uniform sticker: Parental Advisory Explicit Lyrics. (Manning, 10). The PMRC is the most strongly fought against organization by people who are against censorship.
Although, Tipper Gore says that she and the PMRC are strongly opposed to censorship and all that we ever wanted was to provide consumer info so that we can make an informed choice in the stores. (Manning, 16). Labeling is not a form of censorship, it is just a way to inform people of what they are buying. To prevent the public from gaining access to obscene materials the government is limiting this access greatly. In Georgia five nationally know artists, two of which are, Bobby Brown, and Gene Simmons were arrested in 1989 for suggestive performances. Also, in Alabama a record store owner was arrested for selling a rap cassette by 2 Live Crew, whose music was illegal to sell, to an undercover policeman. Lyrics in music are said to be protected by the first amendment which states that: Congress Shall make no law representing an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of, abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and petition the government for a redress or grievances. (Nude).
Although when lyrics and music can lead to violence, and death, music should be able to be censored. Three youths from Canada committed suicide the same week that Kurt Cobain did. Also, the youths from Columbine High School that committed the shootings which occurred in 1999 were supposedly driven by the lyrics of KMFDM. One solution for the problem in lyrics is that Record Companies devise different versions of an album, a clear, and uncut. Luther Campbell, president, owner and CEO of Luke Records, says My daughters want to be able to jump around to the same music daddys jumping to, but theyve gotta have the clean version version. (Benesch, 42). Campbell also says Its a good to have the clean version, because you run into situations where you want your music to get played at malls, and skating rinks. (Benesch, 42).
In 1976 the Supreme Court case of Young v. American Mini theaters, stated that all broadcasts had to be held at a reasonable time, place, and manner, and that this is consistent with the first amendment. (FCC, 35). The FCC (Federal Communication Commission) will regulate indecent broadcasts and set fourth the standards that will be used. According to kk Bts Janes, some artists feel that the Fcc's mandate to change words in songs for radio is an obstruction of freedom of speech and should not be aloud. (Benesch, 42) All in all, by the first amendment a person should be able to express themselves by the way of freedom of speech. First of all, if this right were to be taken away, it would be a violation of the constitution. Secondly, if this right were to be taken away, what will the final effect be?
Will we end up in a civilization similar to that of the book Farenheit 451, in which it was against the law to own a book, and there were consequences to keeping one in the house. Or will television be completely censored? How about newspapers. What about movies?
Will there be no more movies with adult language, violence, or nudity? How about we go back to the 1800 s and have segregated schools. The constitution s amendment s were written not to be changed, or dismissed from the constitution. Is the Land of the Free s freedom going to be taken away because certain people with power don t like a type of music. This is just a start to the end of are freedom.
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Research essay sample on Recording Industry Association Industry Association Of America
