Gangsta Rap, Censorship of Options

[Hell-Rell]

Should the government censor lyrics of songs that are violent or expletive, for example “gangsta”rap?

There is an ongoing debate about the impact of music on certain listeners – especially music such as « gangsta » rap, with lyrics linked to violence and illegal acts. There is widespread disagreement, for example between the music industry and parents’ groups, about the effect such music has on young listeners, and their behaviour, i.e. does it encourage them to behave in a particular way?


I think that Government censorship is a dangerous form of statist control. Even if one accepts the argument for some limited form of government censorship to protect public morals, this needs to be very precisely and conservatively defined to avoid the slippery slope towards creeping totalitarianism. Allowing censorship of popular culture on grounds that the lyrics are mildly subversive is unwelcome as it incorporates a very expansive view of the proper ambit of government regulation. This issue is properly the concern of parents, who should take more interest in, and responsibility for, the music (and films, TV, internet use) to which their children are exposed.

[illumineering]

Like legally buying cigatettes at 18, and alcohol at 21, the idea of exposing children to gangsta rap at an appropriate time is a good idea. i think it should be up to the child's parents to determine that age. The government should offer a rating system as they already do to inform parents of musical content.

Censorship won't help anything. A rating system is more appropriate. There is a lot of underground music that is easily accessible over the internet that bypasses mainstream distribution channels. It's easy to set up home recording studios and distribute music that way as well. It's impossible to effectively censor music with these non-traditional options readily available.