Pros and Cons of Censorship in Music

                                                                             PROS
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• Young, impressionable children will not be exposed to material and situations that they are unable to fully process and could misinterpret 
• Mainstream music represents the entire country, like it or not, and barbaric lyrics could promote a barbaric image to America 
• Phrases often used in popular (specifically rap) music have very tender, sad realities. The repetition of these lyrics by teens who do not realize the true severity is insensitive and difficult for public environments
• Although it sounds self explanatory, those who work in the music industry do have common goal of selling music to the masses. The downplay or changing of several words may be necessary for the business and the ultimate goal of profit
• Freedom has its limits, and lyrics that offend or threaten should not be glorified in the public spotlight. 

                                                                            CONS
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• Music is perhaps the most accessible form of art in the world, and it is used regularly for people to cope with issues, to gain inspiration or to simply raise moral. The possibilities of music are endless, and one could consider music a great example of freedom in general.
• Music with lyrics that are entirely up to interpretation are commonly censored by the radio and the music industry, even if the lyrics are acceptable on a concrete basis. This proves that sometimes the mind is dirtier than the lyrics in general
• The acceptance of lyrics that strike up controversy was cemented in 1735, when Peter Zenger was ruled innocent of libel after his New York Weekly Journal was reviewed. The Weekly Journal did include lyrics to sailor songs that insulted British government, so this early rule should have set the pace for the allowance of controversial lyrics in America.
• Even in times of sensitivity (post 9/11), songs were banned from the radio that were not lyrically involved whatsoever with what occurred. This is an example of the music industry being overbearing and limiting musical freedoms
• Teenagers all go through experimental phases, where they learn the dark realities that are common in life. These phases, albeit not always, normally end after a while. Music can help teach adolescents about things that they cannot talk to their parents about, and the censorship of music would just make this common process more difficult to go through
• In almost every case, banned music or the creation of "edited" music has been ignored and people have gotten to the uncensored versions nonetheless. This questions the attempt of censorship in general.

The Matter at Hand

Censorship of music and lyrics has always had a strong presence in America, and its effects can be seen almost anywhere. One may hear a radio edited version of a single on the radio, or stumble into a Wal-Mart that sells nothing but "clean" CD's. This could be a good or bad thing, depending on who it is that you are talking to. One may argue that explicit music and lyrics influences adolescents negatively, leading them down a road of bad taste and politically incorrect thoughts. Others may argue that explicit music is a strong outlet for teens and their experimental phases, as sometimes teens have questions that are better answered without parental involvement. Another heated debate involving censorship involves the powers that come with the 1st Amendment, and how different people analyze and interpret those powers. Many artists and musicians claim that the 1st Amendment gives them the freedom to say what they want to the masses, and censorship is encroaching on that freedom. At the same time, however, others argue that the freedoms given in the 1st Amendment are specifically involved with Congress and its rulings, and the people have a responsibility to filter what is in bad taste or possibly hurtful or offensive. Some say music is a defining example of freedom, while others saying that opposing controversial music is an even stronger example of freedom. I have always been a supporter of the arts, and I have always believed that censorship has been a debauchery of the arts, while promoting ignorance and artificiality. I have to say, however, that the arguments for censorship have been much more valid than I predicted they would be, and as of right now I believe their argument is just as strong as the one against Censorship. Freedom does have its limits, but I still am thinking that music industries have been over sensitive when it comes to edited words on the radio and things like that. I will continue to support a censor-less American music industry, but I will definitely continue to consider the equally strong arguments of those who fight for censorship and musicians that go too far.