The American consumer is being victimized in multiple ways. From all angles of media outlets (whether its radio, television, film, or beyond) the messages we receive are being skewed depending on the views of the parent corporation. In lying about their motives to censor media messages, these companies are committing a series of fallacies.
Appeal to Popularity
- It's obvious that America has an overwhelmingly large Christian population (76% of Americans are Christians); by claiming that censored messages are to protect the moral well-being of America's youth, they are succeeding in getting America's majority population to ignore possible ulterior motives. Corporations, by definition, exist solely to gain as much money as possible. Why America's masses would believe that this group would put it's stock in morality over wealth is beyond me. Additionally, by presenting scenarios of false danger being presented to our nation's youth, corporations are committing forms of both either/or and glittering generality fallacies.
What can we do about this? To start, we can help ensure the internet's freedom by holding companies accountable. The entire purpose of companies going on the internet is to expand their social network; the last thing they would want is to gain a negative reputation for censoring their messages.
When AT&T was caught censoring anti-war sentiments from Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder, they received an overwhelmingly negative response; to the extent that a representative had to come forward with a public apology: "It's not our intent to edit political comments in webcasts on the AttBlueRoom.com," AT&T spokeswoman Tiffany Nels said in a released statement. "Unfortunately, it has happened in the past in a handful of cases. We have taken steps to ensure that it won't happen again."
Events like these provide hope for the future. No matter how large they grow, corporations need average Americans to sustain their operations. As long as we let them know that we won't tolerate anything less than free access from our media outlets, we can maintain an important voice in society.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Media Censorship Is Completely Arbitrary
Possibly a reason it strikes such a resounding chord when a moment on television is censored is that it leads into a very inside-the-box mentality. While many would simply give foul language, nudity, or violence the vague label of "offensive," few stop to think why. Who are the groups offended by these actions? Why do network executives feel the need to edit a previously existing piece of work into a mold found suitable for their viewers?
Television censorship can occur due to a variety of reasons. As previously stated, all major television and entertainment outlets are formed from one of five major corporations. When stations might claim that their censorship is due to morality, and defending the public, in reality these decisions are based from a public relations standpoint. Whichever programming can present the parent company in the most favorable light is the program that will wind up receiving airtime.
In 2006, an episode of the wildly successful comedy show South Park aired including a notable censored image. In the end of the episode, show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had written and illustrated a role for the Muslim prophet Muhammad. As a result of this, an uproar ensued, with many claiming that the show had simply gone too far this time. The episode's conclusion displayed the below caption instead of the planned Muhammad illustration. Forgoing an opportunity to simply let the show's creative talent show their scheduled program, Comedy Central insisted on censoring the image to maintain Viacom's reputation.
Television censorship can occur due to a variety of reasons. As previously stated, all major television and entertainment outlets are formed from one of five major corporations. When stations might claim that their censorship is due to morality, and defending the public, in reality these decisions are based from a public relations standpoint. Whichever programming can present the parent company in the most favorable light is the program that will wind up receiving airtime.
In 2006, an episode of the wildly successful comedy show South Park aired including a notable censored image. In the end of the episode, show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had written and illustrated a role for the Muslim prophet Muhammad. As a result of this, an uproar ensued, with many claiming that the show had simply gone too far this time. The episode's conclusion displayed the below caption instead of the planned Muhammad illustration. Forgoing an opportunity to simply let the show's creative talent show their scheduled program, Comedy Central insisted on censoring the image to maintain Viacom's reputation.
MTV Woes, Part Deux
MTV's censorship issues extend beyond just lyrical content. A large number of music videos throughout the years have been deemed inappropriate by their programming directors. Below I'll exhibit just a few of these videos, and explain why prohibiting them from receiving airtime is completely idiotic.
Mistah F.A.B., a major player in the West Coast's hip-hop scene, found himself on the receiving end of an MTV music video ban for his song "Ghost Ride It" in 2007. Ghost-riding, the act of dancing outside of a moving vehicle with no driver, has led to a significant amount of injuries. Arguably unjustly, Mistah F.A.B. was blamed for this movement. This is a prime example of MTV being selective with their judgment in censorship. Most music videos from today's top rap and hip hop artists depict at least some degree of drinking of drug usage. Wiz Khalifa, a rapper nominated for MTV's "Best New Artist" award, openly admits to abusing drugs and discusses it in his music. If MTV is to be the true moral compass for our children, they need to stick to one ideology. If this music video was banned due to setting a bad example for America's youth, then they need to take the same stance with other recording artists.
In 1991, Seattle grunge band Soundgarden found success with their hit single "Jesus Christ Pose." By all accounts from the band, this song's content couldn't be further from bashing those with faith in their lives. The song is directed towards public figures who abuse their religious authority (such as television evangelists like Pat Robertson) for immoral gain. The music video features the band members in a desert surrounded by crosses and other holy images. Much to the ire of their fan base, MTV banned this Soundgarden song from receiving airtime.
This decision, albeit one that was made nearly twenty years ago, raises a series of questions. Who was MTV looking to defend by banning this video? What exactly about the video or song was found to be offensive? The line separating church and state seems to have been blurred in this decision. Are we really so fragile a society that we wouldn't be able to handle listening to a song with "Jesus Christ" in the title?
Mistah F.A.B., a major player in the West Coast's hip-hop scene, found himself on the receiving end of an MTV music video ban for his song "Ghost Ride It" in 2007. Ghost-riding, the act of dancing outside of a moving vehicle with no driver, has led to a significant amount of injuries. Arguably unjustly, Mistah F.A.B. was blamed for this movement. This is a prime example of MTV being selective with their judgment in censorship. Most music videos from today's top rap and hip hop artists depict at least some degree of drinking of drug usage. Wiz Khalifa, a rapper nominated for MTV's "Best New Artist" award, openly admits to abusing drugs and discusses it in his music. If MTV is to be the true moral compass for our children, they need to stick to one ideology. If this music video was banned due to setting a bad example for America's youth, then they need to take the same stance with other recording artists.
In 1991, Seattle grunge band Soundgarden found success with their hit single "Jesus Christ Pose." By all accounts from the band, this song's content couldn't be further from bashing those with faith in their lives. The song is directed towards public figures who abuse their religious authority (such as television evangelists like Pat Robertson) for immoral gain. The music video features the band members in a desert surrounded by crosses and other holy images. Much to the ire of their fan base, MTV banned this Soundgarden song from receiving airtime.
This decision, albeit one that was made nearly twenty years ago, raises a series of questions. Who was MTV looking to defend by banning this video? What exactly about the video or song was found to be offensive? The line separating church and state seems to have been blurred in this decision. Are we really so fragile a society that we wouldn't be able to handle listening to a song with "Jesus Christ" in the title?
Thankfully, MTV Gets to Decide What Is Appropriate For You To Listen To
It seems as though it's a foregone conclusion that major swear words will never again find their way onto the airwaves of the general public. America's premier music network (MTV), however, has a long strange history of editing the lyrics of the songs they play for no apparent reason.
Above is the music video for the song "Beautiful Girl," by recording artist Sean Kingston. While this song's nauseating amount of airplay may be a subject best left for another time, MTV made the decision to censor the lyric "suicidal," in favor of the edited lyric "in denial." This is puzzling for a variety of reasons. For one, if this song is about a guy who feels suicidal over the rejection of a girl, that's quite a far cry from merely feeling "in denial." Censorship doesn't always just remove foul language and vulgar thoughts from daytime television; it can drastically change the meaning of the art being presented. If anything, this can be used as stark evidence that censorship has the potential to have a vastly negative impact on the creative abilities of the artist.
Above is the music video for the song "Beautiful Girl," by recording artist Sean Kingston. While this song's nauseating amount of airplay may be a subject best left for another time, MTV made the decision to censor the lyric "suicidal," in favor of the edited lyric "in denial." This is puzzling for a variety of reasons. For one, if this song is about a guy who feels suicidal over the rejection of a girl, that's quite a far cry from merely feeling "in denial." Censorship doesn't always just remove foul language and vulgar thoughts from daytime television; it can drastically change the meaning of the art being presented. If anything, this can be used as stark evidence that censorship has the potential to have a vastly negative impact on the creative abilities of the artist.
Freedom to be Expressive
Expression is the motor of arts. Visual, print, performance; art is centered around expression. At times art is beautiful, sad, profound; it can also be edgy. In fact, most popular art posses an edge, from the rebellious Katy Perry, to the poetry of T.S. Eliot, without the capacity to be risky, their expressions would be as popular as they are. In art there is no such thing as a limit to the potential of a piece, unless it is illegal.
Late this past summer, August 20th to be exact, Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly wanted to gather a flash mob at a local mall. He claimed it was just for fun, and was being honest. The authorities, however, did not believe him. He was arrested upon arrival at the mall, while his fans watched him cuffed and chanted.
A flash mob may not be the most aesthetic performance art, but it is nonetheless a peaceful gathering, as was the case in Cleveland. The authorities saw the gathering as potentially dangerous, that a large amount of teenagers gathering to meet a famous artist, and participate in a flash mob, could turn into a riot. Before it was started MGK was arrested.
Flash mobs can be dangerous, or inconvenient, as was most likely the case when hundreds of teens populated the food courts. Flash mobs are a form of social action. The fact that so many were exposed to censorship, however minor the cause, should create some awareness. Especially when what is censored is so trivial.
Follow the link below to read what Clevelanders have to say about MGK's failed flash mob, also view the youtube videos.
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