Research Into Music Censorship 4 *

‘Do You Think Music Videos Should Be Censored’

Ofcom acknowledges the importance attached to freedom of expression in the broadcasting environment. Music videos are an artistic and creative medium, which can and do sometimes contain challenging content which some may find offensive. However, while music videos must have room for innovation and creativity, Ofcom has statutory duties with regard to all programmes, including music videos (whatever the genre), to: 

• ensure that under-eighteens are protected; and 

• enforce generally accepted standards so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion of offensive and/or harmful material. We are aware of the issues faced by broadcasters in this area, including the desire and commercial need to broadcast new music videos as soon as possible after their release, and the challenge of managing the expectations of music labels and other stakeholders. However these pressures must always be secondary to the duty of broadcasters to observe the Code. 

We have highlighted the following issues as potentially problematic for broadcasters either because they have been the subject of decisions under the Code, or enquiries from broadcasters. 

Robbie Williams- Rock DJ was censored because at the beginning he pulls of his (prosthetic) skin and dances in a skeleton with gory context. 

Sean Kingston- Beautiful Girls was censored because it had the word ‘suicidal’ this was changed to ‘in denial’.

Rita Ora- How We Do(Party) was censored because of the words ‘Drunk sex’, ‘Shot of Jack’, ‘Smoking’, ‘Bullshit’, which were removed.

Michael Jackson- They Don’t Care About Us had words ‘Jew me’ ‘Kike me’ replaced with ‘Do me” “Strike Me’.

Rihanna - We Found Love
-smoking
-sexual display
-drug use
-fireworks
-no clothing
-dancing round shop
-abusive
-loud and disruptive
-gambling
-arguing
-tattooing
-police

I don't think that music videos should be censored for numerous reasons;
-there's worse music videos out there
-aiming it at an older audience
-don't use violence in lyrics
-kids wouldn't listen to the lyrics intensely
-its entertainment
-most of her fans are 17-30
-successful
-girls should be happy and proud of their body

Rihanna has good music and people like it, she's successful, stands up for girls.
The narrative is up to the viewer to take it however they want, shouldn't be changed or affected.
Release music not to be a role model, down for the audience to idolise her or not
If you educate your kids they should know that they shouldn't copy what older people do, music videos are for entertainment purposes only.
True reflection of the artist. Censorship would prevent this.