[cma-l] Offensive Lyrics

Sun Aug 16 12:58:47 BST 2009

Well that's where we'll have to disagree Mark.

It seems fashionable to denegrate the idea of having standards - and look where it's got us.

If you like to align the concept of right and wrong to "so called respectable, white, middle class, daily mail readers" then so be it - but I'd remind you that the people we've democratically elected to represent and govern us fall loosely into that general catergory. 

Of course the use of expletives is everyday conversation is widespread and generally tolerated - but I suggest that the lower down the social, financial and responsibility scale you look, the greater is the usage.

Do we need to set a tolerance level across all frontiers and universally enforce it?
No, of course not.

But I do profoundly object to offensiveness for offensiveness' sake, and offence is what obscene lyrics in songs appear solely to seek.

If we're going to say that music should reflect the language used by a section of the community, then why restrict it to that? Shouldn't we to be consistent then encourage the use of that medium to advocate drugs, violence, child abuse, teenage pregnancy and all the other characteristics of modern society?

I don't think that most of us would like that.

And, by the way, I don't recall ever having knowingly read the Daily Mail in the whole of my life.

Ian

CC: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
From: paradigm.productions at ntlworld.com
To: transplanfm at hotmail.com
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Offensive lyrics
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:56:19 +0100

I have to disagree with you Ian. A provocative lyric that includes say the F word is merely reflecting the language used by a section of the community and it's occasional use can certainly have impact. If community radio is to genuinely reflect all sections of the community there is a need for programming that to some would be regarded as offensive. Racist or homophobic language is of course not acceptable anywhere as it is illegal. 

To make the judgement you have about what is "conventional means" when it comes to communication is perhaps not helpful as it suggests that so called respectable, white, middle class, daily mail reader's are the arbiter of right and wrong. I would suggest this is far from the truth. Just because someone chooses to communicate in different way to me does not make either of us conventional or right or wrong. We all just use the language and means that we find comfortable and accessible to us. 

Mark Harris

On 16 Aug 2009, at 07:58, Ian Hickling wrote:

Whilst wholeheartedly agreeing with Richard's suggestions, I have to question the reasoning behind the need to play material which has a lyric which is intended to be provocative or offensive.
What is the artist trying to achieve other than to offend?
It's often defended by protagonists as portraying modern culture - but is this something that we as responsible broadcasters want to highlight or promote?
My own view is that an artist who feels the need to use an offensive lyric is merely betraying his own inadequacy for communicating effectively by conventional means and as such is not worthy of exposure on radio or anywhere else.
Ian Hickling
Partner
transplan UK

From: richard.berry at sunderland.ac.uk
To: Stevensuttie at aol.com
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:40:56 +0100
CC: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Hip Hop - offensive lyrics?

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
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