Censorship and Its Forms
Censorship is has been a topic of concern to many people including the public pressure groups. As pointed out, it is the process by which information presented concerning words, or images are suppressed because they do not fit the target audience. Censorship is done majorly to aid in imposing political and religious value, and restricting the kind of information to be public. In achieving the latter, several forms of suppressing music have been identified. First is through withholding the information. When music is withheld, no individual will be in the capacity to understand the core message passed through the music. Second, censorship is also done by destroying the content of the music. When some parts of the original version song are selectively altered, the information intended will not reach the audience. When an edited song is recorded and ready to pass the relevant message, an attempt of withholding it forms the basis of censorship (Walker 186-190). Therefore, the research paper aims at justifying how withholding songs by retail stores form the basis of restriction.
Importance of Music and Freedom of Information
To start with, Sinclair (29) argues that communication is an essential indicator of freedom in society. The music industry has proven to be the platform for transmission of those relevant messages to the public. The songs are composed with relevant information based on the current issues of the society. Based on the constitution, freedom for accessing information is paramount for every citizen.
Denial of Freedom and Violation of Law
When retailers fail to distribute the music songs to the public, they deny the populace the freedom of knowing the relevant messages contained in the composed songs. Additionally, it is against the law since the songs that they are withholding have been edited, thereby holding the relevant contents underlined by the ethical codes.
Interference with Liberty
Regarding Walker (186-188), withholding altered musical content is interfering with the liberty of the people who intend to get the bottom line of the issue addressed. Liberty is the act of allowing one to do as he or she wishes is convenient in a free and fair society. Similarly, when there is no freedom is the manner of selection of the songs, then there is no liberty. Censorship through the withholding of information denies individuals the chance to choose the content of the songs they want to listen. The ethical notation of a person may depend on the environment upon which the person is brought up. When the authority addresses these ethical issues, they should give an opportunity to the citizens to have a choice. By selecting the alternatives, it will be easier for the stipulation of the relevant censored song. Contrary to this, in the process of withholding the content, further censorship is made.
Withholding Songs and Restriction of Information
Withholding songs as a form of censorship deter people from getting the facts, and truth that may help them in facing the real-life situation. Restriction aims at withholding the factual information from the majority. In the media industry, songs played contain themes and lessons that relate to real life situation. It is advisable to make the younger generations of what is expected from them.\u00a0 It is therefore evident that when an individual withholds the content of the songs by not selling them, then they keep the truth away especially from the young generation. Additionally, they in the process that these songs are not censored, these young children will understand the fact and learn how to cope with the situations at a tender age. Precisely, Sinclair (34) argues that songs are absolute realities which should be accepted to be happening in the real-life case. If the songs are kept away from the listeners, they may not be in a position to cope up with those situations in life. Therefore, it means that failing to sell the songs to the community is also a form of censorship.
Censorship and Audience Maturity
Failing to provide songs audience due to the lack of labels for the edited version is a form of censorship. The content of music that is conveyed through songs is essential in determining the maturity of the audience. In other words, song censorship is done to make the material to be at the level of the audience. Therefore, Sinclair (33-37) accounts that if a retail company dealing in the selling of songs withholds the CDs, then it will be another form of censorship. It will be presumed that the dealers are trying to protect the level of the consumer relating to the sense of immaturity.
The Importance of Contention and Access to Information
In precision, there must be an act of contention when it comes to media censorship. Withholding song content based on a genuine part may put a country in a situation that is underactive. Furthermore, song censorship only reflects the perception about the audience. It should also be noted that it is the constitutional right of a person to access information. The paper has pointed out that withholding song as a form of censorship denies the audience their freedom. Moreover, it makes them have a restricted content that is ascertained by the authority. Although suppression may be primary to instilling and maintaining the required ethics, the freedom of a person should surpass it. Additionally, withholding songs is against the First Amendment.
Works Cited
Sinclair, Alex McArthur. "Forbidden Access: Censoring Books and Archives." The Entertainment and Sports Law Journal 13 (2015).
Walker, Gavin Robert. "‘Our songs were our stones': song and struggle in the treatment action campaign." Journal of Contemporary African Studies 36.2 (2018): 175-190.
