[cma-l] Hip Hop - offensive lyrics?

[Richard Berry]

ofcom are right to advise you as they have done, a 'health warning'  
would merely be a mitigating factor if a complaint was made. The first  
thing you can do is to take care when scheduling the programme. For  
example, if you put it after the big band show then 67 year old Agnes  
is likely to hear it and be offended, whereas putting it after the  
rock show at 10pm you'd be less likely to find people offended by the  
content - especially given the content of some rock songs!! Don't rule  
out recording the show and playing out in the wee small hours if you  
have the kit to do it.

You could try and make some edits yourself or talking to the labels to  
see if they can send you the clean versions. Some will, some won't. If  
you have legal copies of the rude versions then a digital copy via  
email will do just fine for broadcast. You may also want him to record  
the show so you can clear it before it goes out. The more you can the  
more you can show you've been in control of the content. If someone  
complains and you've not taken any steps to ensure compliance then  
they will kick you more for that than any actual breach of the rules!

Regards
Rich


Richard Berry
Senior Lecturer in Radio Studies
Admissions Tutor
Programme Leader: FdA Community Radio & BA Radio
The David Puttnam Media Centre, St Peters Campus
Sunderland, SR6 0DD
Tel: 0191 515 2239
Skype, Facebook & Twitter: richardberryuk
Web: www.sunderland.ac.uk/radio
Tags: www.delicious.com/richardberry
Blog:myblogs.sunderland.ac.uk/blogs/radio/









On 12 Aug 2009, at 14:11, Stevensuttie at aol.com wrote:

> Dear CMA colleagues,
>
> I have a very enthusiastic young chap who wishes to do a Hip Hop  
> show. I have zero knowledge of this particular genre, other than the  
> music often talks about rascist, violent and sexual matters.
>
> Unfortunately, this volunteer cannot get hold of radio edits for all  
> songs, so occasionally, lyrics that may cause offence may be  
> broadcast. I called OFCOM this morning to ask if this was  
> acceptable, if we put out disclaimers along the lines of "Warning:  
> The following music contains lyrics that may cause offence - if you  
> are easily offended this programme isn't for you." The answer was  
> unclear from OFCOM - but put bluntly - that disclaimer would not  
> serve as a protection should a listener complain.
>
> So I wondered what everybody else does? Any help or guidance on this  
> matter will be gratefully received.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Kindest Regards
> Steve Suttie
> Station Manager, 94.4FM Salford City Radio
> office 0161 793 2939
> mobile 07772 355 852
> WINNERS - Community Award - Salford Business Awards 2009
> Visit our Website www.salfordcityradio.org
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