[cma-l] Offensive Lyrics - Can of Worms!

[Richard Berry]

I totally agree this is a real 'can of worms' and maybe some research  
is needed into how we should/can approach these issues, as even  
mainstream artists have versions of songs that use explicit lyrics or  
questionable content. Some content is intended to offend and some  
merely reflect elements of society, whilst we may see that as a sign  
of degeneration there is no question it's there. Parts of our  
communities relate to this music, its language and its message. So  
should we deny them that access or as the original question suggests,  
do we find a way to strike a balance?
if we reject the whole idea because we find it distasteful, then who  
else do we exclude? I personally find some overtly religious  
programming offensive but does that mean they should excluded from  
broadcasting? No, of course not. We find a happy medium that works for  
our audience. The hard part of running any radio station is being able  
to put aside your own tastes and value sets and judging your output by  
those of your audience. Whether your audience is older or younger,  
more or less well educated and so on. Our role is to offer the station  
they want in a responsible, yet informed way.
Someone has already suggested working with local people to create  
content that they want to hear and that can be compliant, this is  
social gain in its purest sense and would be hugely popular with an  
underserved audience

Richard


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 18 Aug 2009, at 18:59, Office - ccr-fm wrote:

> Julie
>
> I find this whole episode quite fascinating. This Guy ...... er'  
> ---- 'guy'
> ..................... has thrown a cat amongst the pigeons. He's  
> kinda'
> right and wrong at the same time.
>
> I remember going to a radio station get together 7 years ago, but it  
> wasn't
> for Canalside, it was for a group in Derbyshire ......... they'd  
> latched
> onto the idea of Community radio (run by the community) ......... at  
> the
> meeting there were all kinds of different people ....... from the  
> community
> ........ it was quite an eye opener.
>
> There was old Joe with his collection of 40's and 50's records,  
> Fleur and
> Fiona from the local writers association, Ted and Eric from the
> horticultural society, DJ Fued and DJ Flex from the local nite spot  
> and
> plenty of others. The ones that I noticed though were 5 moshers !  
> who were
> clearly into their heavy metal and 'off the beaten track indie  
> music' .....
> it appeared that a hell of a lot of music that they liked was music  
> that
> contained explicit lyrics !
> They were joined later by another dozen or so friends.
>
> They even asked the Chairman about swearing on the air-waves.
>
> The point I am making is this ............. the whole process and the
> bureaucratic marathon to get a licence has quite frankly been a  
> waste of
> volunteers energy ...... it is still continuing with this ongoing  
> GARBAGE
> regarding restrictions .................
>
> Asking the community what do they want ?    well as it happens we  
> did !
> and one or two of the things that we were told did what I pointed out
> earlier ....... put a cat amongst the pigeons ............ the  
> youngsters
> wanted shows whereby music could be played in it's absolute unedited
> versions
> I'm 50 years old and personally I don't agree with it  ....... but /  
> so ...
> what next ?????
>
> It's no use Ofcom and the Government asking us to ask our community,  
> we get
> an answer and then do nothing about it .......... Community radio  
> (correct
> me if I'm wrong) also appears to be Minority / Narrowcasting / Special
> Interest Radio ......... or is it only this type of Radio WHEN IT  
> SUITS !?
>
> Just a point that's all ........... any feedback welcome. I'm only  
> trying to
> play devils advocate.
>
> Regards
>
> Nick Wright
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of
> Julie at radiowestsuffolk.co.uk
> Sent: 18 August 2009 10:04
> To: guy cudmore
> Cc: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Offensive Lyrics - Can of Worms!
>
> Guy
>
> I am happy to take advice and opinions from others, I believe that you
> never stop learning.
>
> However, I cannot accept being referred to as "boring old flatulents",
> I see it more of being responsible and accounting for my actions on
> behalf of the station, I have a licence to protect on behalf of my
> community.
>
>
> Julie MacLeod
> Station Manager
>
> Listen to me every Friday night at 8pm for the Request Show or every  
> other
> Wednesday at 6pm for "What's Going On". www.radiowestsuffolk.co.uk
> RWSfm is coming to Bury Soon!
>
>
> Quoting guy cudmore <sweetalkinguy at hotmail.com>:
>
>>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> I am not a current radio practitioner. However, there are one or two
>> things about the discussion.
>>
>> The people who decide what goes are not teenage hip-hop fans, but
>> the sort of boring old flatulents who frequent the board of
>> governors of the BBC and Ofcom. The sort of people who give Friends
>> an 18 certificate because Jennifer Aniston is fond of using the term
>> "spass" - meaning "spastic", on account of her lack of expertise at
>> using gadgets, which is unlikely to be noticed by any sub-18 in
>> this  day and age.
>>
>> You should go into Spotify and ask it for songs entitled "fuck off".
>> There are quite a few, which will give some idea of what is out
>> there. It will not come up with "Fuck off" by Wayne County and the
>> Electric Chairs, which was a wow in the punk clubs around 1980: it
>> is there, but you have to ask for "f*** off". Neither does it select
>> "Fuck you", on Lily Allen's recent album. I can easily live without
>> any of them, but that is not the point.
>>
>> Just as Mary Whitehouse was ignorant about drug references in lyrics
>> in the Sixties, hence tracks like Ichycoo Park got by unnoticed, so
>> there is contemporary stuff which is not outrageous lyrically, but
>> still has a meaning to clued-up youngsters which adults might not
>> wish to know about. Therefore, some sort of self-censorship is
>> advisable. If contemporary urban music does not get airtime, then
>> that is encouraging youngsters to set up their own pirate radio,
>> which is not a good idea.
>>
>> An example is The Wire on telly. The subject matter may not be to
>> everybody's taste, but it is powerful drama, well written, well
>> acted and well staged, and it is important that it is shown.
>>
>> I think the check-list here is good. Allow the audience what it
>> wants or expects, but keep close tabs on what is broadcast.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Guy Cudmore.
>>
>> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:14:32 +0000
>> From: bobtyler at btinternet.com
>> To: Stevensuttie at aol.com
>> CC: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Offensive Lyrics - Can of Worms!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> This is an important genre of music and is not limited by class,  
>> race or
>> sex. In many ways it defines a community, similar to say Country
>> music, in which
>> the lyrics often reflect a way of life or a struggling life in  
>> general.
>>
>>
>>
>> The majority of music does have a story to tell with many of the
>> lyrics structured
>> on rhyme and metaphors. The UK scene is probably
>> the most vibrant with now successful acts such a Dizzee Rascal,
>> NDubz, Tinchy Strider
>> and Lady Sovereign reaching mainstream status.
>>
>>
>>
>> UK Urban is very grass root and I would estimate that even around  
>> Salford
>> there being many aspiring artists with their own recordings/mixtapes
>> with potentially
>> hundreds across Greater Manchester - so a good example of a local
> programme.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I have worked in this sector for five years often overseeing the  
>> editing
>> of lyrics for relevant Broadcasting Codes and to create suitable
>> radio versions
>> and my advice would be as follows:
>>
>>
>>
>> Never trust ANY copy of a CD
>> sent. Always check regardless however it is labelled.
>>
>>
>>
>> Always ask for lyrics (particularly
>> with unsigned material) if not try an Internet search for lyrics.
>>
>>
>>
>> Check lyrics against audio.
>>
>>
>>
>> Make simple edits by single
>> word reversals done with basic editing software ? however bear in  
>> mind the
>> number required and the sustainability or continuity. Will the song
>> make sense
>> after too much editing?
>>
>>
>>
>> If an artist does not want to
>> supply lyrics or offer to edit a version tell them where to go. If
>> they want to
>> be on your station they have to learn the requirements.
>>
>>
>>
>> Don?t mess about recording,
>> do it live to capture the atmosphere.
>>
>>
>>
>> Offensive lyrics
>>
>>
>>
>> This is always in constant evolution when new interpretations come  
>> into
>> use everyday and Ofcom should do more research, since the last was
>> published 3
>> or 4 years ago. However it is all down to context and the time of
>> day (who the
>> audience might be). It is also listener expectations as well, so a
> programme
>> should have an edge. You have to remember there is probably not a  
>> single
> Hip
>> Hop tune that you can play on air that is not on Utube or on the web
>> somewhere
>> in its full version.
>>
>>
>>
>> A lot of my work was to recommend changes to some of the unnecessary
>> violence references and the glorification of drugs. This is where the
> written
>> lyrics are important. Sometimes an artist is saying that making
>> music is better
>> than selling drugs or that they used to do drugs but music has  
>> saved them.
>> These are positive messages. Lyrics supporting the carrying of  
>> knives or
> guns
>> to ?protect their hood? are negative messages and are not acceptable.
>>
>>
>>
>> During my time dealing with UK artists I have to
>> say that many youngsters felt it was cool to use negative lyrics but
>> attitudes
>> are different now, especially if it means their recording never
>> reaching legitimate
>> broadcasting.
>>
>>
>>
>> Overall urban music is in the domain of the very young. To  
>> objectively
> look
>> at the genre from a broadcaster?s point of view, you have to spend a
> little
>> time putting yourself into the position of the artist. Basically  
>> they sing
>> about what they see, their day to day life, need I say more. This  
>> is grass
>> roots culture and lifestyle that should be represented at a community
> media
>> level. Offer a platform and encouragement to local artists, be  
>> brave try a
>> regular show and see how quickly it can become a cult through word of
> mouth.
>>
>>
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>>
>>
>> --- On Mon, 17/8/09, Michael Fryer <michael_fryer at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> From: Michael Fryer <michael_fryer at hotmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Offensive Lyrics - Can of Worms!
>> To: stevensuttie at aol.com, hartland.karl at 209radio.co.uk,
> lolgellor at yahoo.co.uk
>> Cc: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>> Date: Monday, 17 August, 2009, 2:49 PM
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Steve,
>>
>>
>>
>> Great to see the E-petition link.
>>
>>
>>
>> Can I suggest that every community radio station e-mail carries the
>> link until 24 September - we can get to 20,000 yet!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Michael Fryer
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Stevensuttie at aol.com
>> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:43:17 -0400
>> To: hartland.karl at 209radio.co.uk; lolgellor at yahoo.co.uk
>> CC: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Offensive Lyrics - Can of Worms!
>>
>>
>> Hey its great that such a debate has been inspired by this query.
>>
>> I am very keen to give the volunteer a slot on the radio playing the
>> music that he and his contempories enjoy. Its not my cup of tea at
>> all - but if Salford City Radio only broadcast the things that I
>> personally like and understand - it would be a rather dull radio
>> station that did very little to satisfy its key commitments or
>> engage with local people - thus pointless.
>>
>> The slot I have in mind is a pre-record at 11pm on a Sunday night,
>> and not ALL songs will contain lyrics "which some may find
>> offensive" but my initial question was - what do you guys do? Thanks
>> to Tom at Future Radio - interesting advice.
>>
>> The peculiar thing here is that artists such as James Blunt and Pink
>> and Beautiful South put much more offensive words in the album
>> versions of their hit singles. And as we all know - these songs
>> occasionally go on air during day time!
>>
>> Hey - the Number 10 petition has reached 1,677 people already -
>> fantastic stuff! Heres the link if you're not on that list yet...
>> http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/allthevoices/
>>
>> 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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