American Censorship

The Parents Television Council is warning parents and radio stations not to broadcast Britney Spears' "If U Seek Amy" because the organization believes it "would violate the broadcast indecency law" if aired between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. [Billboard.]

Growing up listening to Howard Stern, OTCS can't help but wonder: if Britney Spears violates indecency laws, is it time to reexamine the scope (and purpose) of broadcast indeceny laws?

iTunes, China, and Censorship

entitled "Songs for The New York Times reports (8/23/08; B8, "Arts, Briefly") that access to Apple's iTunes web site within China was blocked by Chinese Internet providers. Though Beijing authorities have not commented, the move was reportedly sparked by a free compilation album offered by iTunesTibet", which more than 40 Olympic athletes download.

Let My People Go

Can you imagine a music group being BANNED by a nation, out of fear that they would corrupt young fans? A tipster sent this link, reporting that Israel has lifted its ban on the most corrupt band in music history: The Beatles?!

...of course, similar debates continue today. Is graphic violence and sexual content in video games contributing to "the corruption of youths"? The music industry is not immune from such manic fear; anyone purchasing an album with a "Tipper Sticker" (i.e., parental advisory label) should know that this nation, the bastion of free speech, has had its own scares of censorship.